A missile slammed into a house in border town in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, killing about a dozen people, residents said.

At least one explosion went off in Damadola, a village in the Bajaur tribal area, about 200 kilometres northwest of Islamabad, near the Afghan border late Wednesday. Residents said they saw U.S. drones flying in the area.

Villager Ibrahim Khan told the Associated Press that local Taliban leaders had gathered for a feast at the targeted house, and at least 15 people were killed.

Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar said militants had cordoned off the area and that more than 10 people had died.

Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas did not confirm reports of a missile strike.

On Jan. 13, 2006, a CIA-sponsored aircraft fired missiles at a house in Damadola under the mistaken belief that senior al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri was there. At least 17 people were killed.

With files from the Associated Press