ISLAMABAD (AP) - Officials say suspected U.S. missiles have struck a Taliban compound in a northwest Pakistani militant stronghold near the Afghan border, killing three people.

Shahab Ali Shah is the top administrative official from South Waziristan tribal region. He says blasts reported there earlier Sunday were caused by U.S. missiles. Five people also were wounded.

An intelligence official confirmed the assessment that missiles were involved. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media on the record.

The U.S. has escalated its use of missile strikes against militant targets in Pakistan’s northwest since August. Pakistan has protested the strikes, saying they inflame anti-American sentiment.