DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — Pakistani intelligence officials say suspected American drones have fired several missiles into three militant hideouts near Afghan border, killing at least nine fighters.

Three officials said the Sunday morning strikes targeted Pakistani Taliban's hideouts in the South Waziristan tribal region.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

They say identity of the killed militants is not known yet, but two important commanders of the Pakistani Taliban may be among them.

A suspected U.S. missile strike on Thursday killed a top Pakistani militant commander, Maulvi Nazir, whose fighters focus on attacks against U.S. and allied NATO troops in Afghanistan.