A suspected US air strike killed nine people at a religious school in north-west Pakistan, intelligence officials said today.
It was claimed the school, on the outskirts of Miran Shah, the main town in the North Waziristan region, had links to the Taliban.
Four of those killed in the attack were found in the rubble of the school. Two others were injured.
The attack is being seen as a sign of US frustration at Pakistan's approach to counter-terrorism.
It came within hours of Pakistan's parliament warning against any incursions on Pakistani soil. MPs called for a review of national security, making talks with militants the top priority.
Unnamed intelligence officials told the Associated Press that the religious school belonged to a local pro-Taliban cleric who had been linked to the veteran Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani, considered a top target of the US.
Militants in the north-west are blamed for rising attacks on US and Nato forces in neighbouring Afghanistan, as well as suicide attacks within Pakistan.
Cross-border US missile attacks have angered Pakistan, which sees them as a violation of its sovereignty.
Yesterday's parliamentary resolution on security had few details, apparently a result of political compromise after two weeks of debate.
It did not directly mention two of the most divisive issues surrounding the terror fight: army offensives in the north-west and calls for unconditional talks with the extremists.
The major opposition parties recognise the need for military action against the insurgents, but rarely express it forcefully because they want to maintain support among ordinary Pakistanis who are deeply suspicious of the war.
The seven-month-old government hailed the 14-point document as a “historic moment for the country”. The information minister, Sherry Rehman, said: “This will definitely help to improve the situation and to rid the country of the menace of terrorism.”
The resolution calls for an “independent foreign policy”, a sign of wariness of American influence.
It states Pakistan will not let its soil be used for terrorist attacks elsewhere ‚ an apparent acknowledgment of US complaints about militants hiding in north-west Pakistan.
The resolution alludes to the US missile attacks, stating that Pakistan “stands united against any incursions and invasions of the homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively”.
While saying dialogue “must now be the highest priority,” it stipulates that talks should be pursued with those elements willing to follow the constitution and the rule of law.
Pakistan is in the midst of an economic crisis brought about by high fuel prices, dwindling foreign investment, soaring inflation and militant violence.
The government has formally requested financial help from the International Monetary Fund to avoid a possible loan default, a decision that could cost the administration political support at home.
