Pakistani officials say a U.S. drone strike has killed eight suspected militants near the Afghan border, in an area considered a stronghold of the Taliban.

Officials said an al-Qaida operative is believed to be among the victims of the strike near the town of Mir Ali in North Waziristan.

The attack early Tuesday is the latest in a spate of attacks reported in the border region. On Sunday, Pakistani officials said at least nine suspected Taliban fighters were killed in a drone strike on suspected hideouts in South Waziristan.

The Pakistani government has long publicly condemned the drone strikes as a violation of its sovereignty, but the attacks are believed to be carried out with some help from Pakistan's intelligence.