DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan - Intelligence officials in Pakistan say suspected U.S. missiles have hit an alleged Taliban compound near the border with Afghanistan.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

The U.S. has escalated its missile strikes on al-Qaida and Taliban targets in Pakistan's northwest in recent months, despite official Pakistani protests.

The strike today occurred in South Waziristan, the stronghold of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.

Two intelligence officials confirmed the strike on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.