At least three people were killed in a suspected U.S. drone strike in northwestern Pakistan's tribal region early on Friday before dawn, local TV channels reported.

Reports said a missile was fired from a U.S. drone plane in the Danday Darpa Khel area of Miranshah in North Waziristan tribal agency, killing three miscreants which enraged militants who late on, launched attacks on security forces check posts located near Miranshsh airbase.

The Pakistani security forces retaliated militants attack while the exchange of fire between security forces and miscreants was continued as per latest information, sources said.

Curfew for an indefinite period has been clamped in Miranshah following the incident, sources claimed.

Pakistan's most wanted Taliban chief, Baitullah Mehsud, was reportedly killed by a U.S. missile attack on Aug. 5 in abutting South Waziristan, part of the lawless tribal regions along Pakistan 's border with Afghanistan. Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding in the area.

U.S. drones regularly fired missiles in the Pakistani tribal regions to target the militants and opposition parties said Pakistani government permits such attacks. But Pakistan denied the charges.

Pakistani officials said the drone strikes have killed more than 400 people in more than 40 attacks since August 2008.

Pakistan insisted that drone attacks are counterproductive and must be stopped but the CIA chief and top U.S. officials have ruled out any change in the policy.

Pakistani forces are on an offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan against Taliban sympathizers after it launched an assault in the Swat Valley and Buner in the northwest in April.

Source: Xinhua