ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 15 (UPI) -- Two missiles struck a house in northwest Pakistan believed to be holding Islamic militants, killing about 12 people, residents and security forces claimed.

The BBC, citing local sources, said the missiles were suspected to have been fired by a unmanned U.S. aircraft at the house near the village of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal area near the border with Afghanistan.

No other details were immediately available.

Drone planes have been targeting areas suspected to be al-Qaida and Taliban militants, but such incidents are not confirmed by U.S. or Pakistani authorities, the report said.

Militant violence has risen sharply in the northwest's tribal areas, where insurgents are believed to have regrouped.

Pakistan's new coalition government, with its policy of negotiating with pro-Taliban groups, does not want the United States to continue such strikes within its territory, the report said.