Islamabad, May 15: At least 15 people were killed on Wednesday when two missiles allegedly fired by NATO forces in Afghanistan targeted a suspected militant hideout in Pakistan's tribal region, officials said.

"The guided missiles hit the house of a local Taliban commander Maulvi Abdullah in Damadola area of Bajaur tribal district," a security official said.

The official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Abdullah's brother was also killed in the bombing that demolished the compound.

According to local witnesses, NATO drones were seen flying in the area after the attack, the Aaj news channel reported.

Taliban fighters sealed the area immediately afterwards and were trying to pull out the dead bodied from under the rubble.

Tribal areas are safe havens for Al Qaeda and Taliban militants launching cross border assaults on NATO-led international forces in Afghanistan with the support of local tribal fighters, who also target Pakistani forces.

The new government in Islamabad started peace talks with the tribal rebels last month, raising concern in Washington and other NATO countries.

The Bajaur missile attack came hours after Islamic militants and the Pakistani government carried out a prisoners' swap ahead of a formal peace deal between the sides in the neighboring tribal district of South Waziristan.

The authorities released 32 suspected militants in exchange for 12 security personnel seized from various areas of the North-West Frontier Province and the tribal region over the last six months, Aaj TV said.

A member of parliament from Bajaur, Engineer Shaukatullah, said the missile attack was a US attempt to disrupt the ongoing peace process in Pakistan's tribal region.

EMAIL THIS NEWS COMMENTS POSTED BY Ashish, New Delhi on May 16, 2008, 12:10 pm
Yes, the world community should volunteer to bulldoze this failed nation to eternal doom. This country harbors the moslems who are the dreaded ruthless terrorists of the world. Bin Laden is actually the CEO of Pakistan and Pervert Prevez is nothing but his right hand man who has hoodwinked America is name of fight against terror but actually has reinforced the terror hubs by aiding them with arms and dollars. lets all pee on this land and bomb them to doomsday.

POSTED BY shiv gill, New Delhi on May 15, 2008, 6:37 pm
They need a continuous carpet bombing five times a day for one full holy month and then only they will give up terrorism. Our media persons and politician should wear saree and bangles and entertain the Paki president and leave our people to bleed like dogs in streets. This DMA is no exception and they are downplaying the direct hand of muslim terrorists in the Jaipur blasts.

POSTED BY Proud Shiva Shainik, Mumbai on May 15, 2008, 6:21 pm
Chak de Dubiya, Chak deeee! Bomb them back to stone age. Mr Bush, you are baap ka beta, our Lady Maino, the Italian PM may be appeasing muslims here but all Indian people are firmly behind you, chak be boss, aur ek do baar ho jaye!

POSTED BY Nayanika, Gurgaon on May 15, 2008, 2:33 pm
It is better to bomb and annihilate the epicenter of world terrorism, there is no reason why a failed state like Pakistan should exist!!! Thank you Rahul Baba Mexican for your comments.

POSTED BY Rahul Baba Mexican, New Delhi on May 15, 2008, 2:23 pm
US should bomb Pakistan incessantly so that they are back to stone age and they should jointly do it with India and Israel :) Let's arrange a party and we will call Washington Red Skins along with exclusive Pakistani females from Saudi King's Harem.

POSTED BY Baba Saigal, Chennai on May 15, 2008, 11:58 am
Let's celebrate and rejoice the killing of people in Pakistan soil by Dubya's missiles! Thank you DMA for the news.