Pakistan deploys first homemade drones, kills three

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The Pakistan military said it deployed three unmanned drones Monday and killed three militants near the Afghan border, marking the first time the country used drone technology on the battlefield.

Major Gen. Asim Bajwa, spokesman for the Pakistani military, said three "high-profile terrorist" were killed in the strike that hit a compound in the North Waziristan region. Officials did not further identify the dead.

1st ever use of Pak made Burraq Drone today. Hit a terrorist compound in Shawal Valley killing 3 high profile terrorists.Details follow

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 7, 2015

Earlier this year, Pakistan's military said it successfully armed a locally made drone, called the Burraq, with a laser-guided missile. Until now, it has never been used in combat.

Pakistan's drone program officially began in November 2013 and has rapidly expanded. Initially, the country said it would only use them for surveillance, but abandoned that stance after a terrorist attack at a school left about 150 students and teachers dead.

According to the New America Foundation, there is evidence eight other countries -- the United States, South Africa, France, Nigeria, Britain, Iran, Israel and China -- have already fitted drones with weapons.