A US drone attack has killed at least 16 suspected militants in Pakistan's north-western tribal area, Pakistani security officials say.
Three compounds believed to be militant hideouts in North Waziristan, near the border with Afghanistan, were targeted.
The US believes the attacks are vital to combat militants who operate in the border region.
The attacks came a day after Pakistan's foreign ministry summoned a senior US diplomat in protest at such strikes, the BBC reports.
"A senior US diplomat was called to the ministry of foreign affairs and informed that the drone strikes were unlawful, against international law and a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement.
