U.S. missiles hit Pakistani Taliban, 12 dead

The attack happened in North Waziristan (vah-ZEER'-ih-stahn), a Pakistani tribal region and stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaida fighters suspected of mounting attacks on U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan.

Pakistan's tribal belt is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri. Missile attacks from unmanned U.S. aircraft in the region have increased dramatically in recent months.