国际英语新闻：U.S. drone aircraft kills 10 in Pakistan's Waziristan

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- American drones Tuesday rained volley of missiles in the Pakistani tribal region, killing at least 10 people, according local people.

A tribal elder said on phone from Miarnshah, the center of North Waziristan, that several U.S. drone aircraft fired at least 11 missiles at three places.

Missiles were fired in Datta Khel area, some 45 km from Miranshah, he said.

Officials said that the missiles struck hideouts of the suspected Taliban but locals said that civilians were among the dead.

Witnesses said that tribesmen also fired at the drones but could not hit the aircraft.

U.S. has stepped attacks in Waziristan tribal regions after a suicide bomber struck the CIA center in Afghanistan.

Officials said that the U.S. has carried out 13 suspected drone strikes in North and South Waziristan since then.

The U.S. has refused to stop the drone attacks despite public protest by Pakistan. U.S officials have claimed in the past that they have taken out several senior al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders.