A major al-Qaeda operative of Arab origin was among the five militants killed in a suspected United States missile strike in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, private TV channel Geo reported.

The Geo quoted security sources as saying that the al-Qaeda militant was identified as Abdullah Azam Al-Saudi, a senior member of al-Qaeda.

A suspected U.S. drone fired a missile at a house in Bannu district of North West Frontier Province, leaving five persons dead and five others injured, according to Geo.

Pakistan's tribal areas have witnessed cross-border missile attacks conducted by suspected U.S. drones. Pakistani government has repeatedly protested against missile strikes in its territory and demanded a halt to such attacks.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2008)