Official: U.S drone kills 5 in Pakistan

• Four missiles struck a house early Wednesday near Mir Ali town
• U.S. says the Haqqani network is among the biggest threats to peace in Afghanistan
• Pakistani residents view drones as an affront to their sovereignty.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. missile strike has killed five people in a northwestern militant haven near the Afghan border.

The officials say four missiles struck a house early Wednesday near Mir Ali town in North Waziristan. The area is home to several al-Qaida-linked and other militant groups. The three officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

The U.S. says one of the area's groups — the Haqqani network, which focuses on attacks against U.S. troops and NATO allies — is among the biggest threats to peace in Afghanistan.

Washington relies on the drone strikes in the absence of a Pakistani military operation in the region. Pakistani residents view the drone program as an affront to their sovereignty.