Pakistani intelligence officials said Thursday that a pair of U.S. missiles struck a village near the border with Afghanistan, killing nine people.

The reported missile strikes appear to be part of a stepped up effort by the U.S. to target suspected militants harboring in Pakistan. Such strikes, however, have strained ties between Pakistan and the U.S.

One missile strike occurred at a house in Tappi village in North Waziristan tribal region. A second alleged strike was reported at a house in the village of Dande Darpa Khel.

No casualties were reported at the second strike, which was near where arch-U.S. enemy and veteran Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani has a seminary.

© 2008 Newsroom.