Militants attack home of Pakistan provincial leader

Dera Ismail Khan: Suspected militants fired rockets at the home of the Pakistan's top northwestern officials, the latest in a surge of attacks that have rocked the region bordering Afghanistan.

Three houses were damaged, including the home of North West Frontier Province's chief minister, Amir Haider Khan Hoti. No casualties were reported.

"We expect more such incidents," said provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain. "They are not going to be stopped here. We are facing a warlike situation."

Northwestern Pakistan is home to scores of Al Qaida and Taliban militants who are blamed for rising attacks on American and Nato forces in Afghanistan and for violence inside Pakistan.

In recent weeks, the US has carried out a series of cross-border missile strikes from Afghanistan targeting suspected Al Qaida and Taliban hide-outs in the area.

Pakistani leaders have condemned the attacks as violations of the country's sovereignty.