At least six alleged militants were killed in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday during an attack by an unmanned aircraft.

Islamabad, 28 Dec. (AKI) - At least six alleged militants were killed in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday during an attack by an unmanned aircraft.

Two missiles were fired into a suspected insurgent hideout in the Ghulam Khan area of volatile North Waziristan, according to reports.

The attack occurred around 40 kilometres from the site of a drone assault on Monday during which 18 people were reportedly killed.

The United States neither confirms or denies that the CIA operates drone aircraft to attack suspected militants in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan.

Such attacks in recent days have been stepped up. On 17 December three attacks killed at least 57 people Tirah Valley area of the Khyber Agency, north of North Waziristan.