A US drone has fired three missiles into northwestern Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal area on the Afghan border, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens others on Friday, local TV channel reported.

Local intelligence officials said the missiles were targeted at the hideout of Pakistan Taliban leader Baitullah Mahsud, according the TV reports.

More than 50 insurgents and some Pakistani soldiers have been killed over the last 24 hours in northwestern Pakistan, the Pakistan army said.

The US has intensified drone attacks on the tribal regions despite Pakistan's protest at a time when the security forces are engaged in major offensive against Baitulalh Mahsood in South Waziristan.

Pakistani officials say the drone strikes have killed more than 400 people in about 42 attacks since August 2008.??

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2009)