US drone kills four in Pakistan, Taliban leader dies after illness

Islamabad, Oct 1 (DPA) At least four people were killed and nine injured in a US drone attack on a house in Pakistani territory along the Afghan border as media reported Wednesday the death of Pakistan's Taliban leader due to illness.

Quoting Pakistani security officials, Geo TV reported that a US pilotless drone fired missiles at a house near Mir Ali town in North Waziristan.

Two other drones were shot at earlier, the report said.

North Waziristan is regarded a haven for Taleban militants and members of the Al Qaeda terror network.

Tension increased between the US and Pakistan after a series of incidents in the border region, as the US stepped up strikes into Pakistani territory.

Geo TV and CNN news channels reported the death of Baitullah Mehsud, leader of Pakistan's Taliban movement.

Geo TV said Meshud, who is said to be responsible for the murder of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, had been suffering from high blood pressure and kidney disease.

The death of Mehsud, said to be in his 30's, was confirmed by Pakistani military officials, CNN said, while Taliban sources disputed the authenticity of the report.