A US air strike on a Pakistani village near the Afghanistan border has claimed the lives of three civilians, while injuring many more.

Two women and a child were killed in the attack and at least six people were wounded, Pakistani intelligence officials in the region said on Friday.

The officials stated that the attack on Datta Khel - 60 km (35 mils) west of Miranshah and the main town in the North Waziristan tribal region - took place at around 5:30 a.m. (1130 GMT) the officials added.

US-led missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas have dramatically increased in recent months.

Islamabad has frequently protested over the US incursions into Pakistan's tribal region, with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani terming the attacks as 'act of terrorism'.

Pakistani officials and tribal leaders have repeatedly threatened to retaliate should US cross-border attacks continue.

MP/MMN