US drone crashes in northwest Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani intelligence officials and local residents say a suspected US drone has crashed in the country’s northwest tribal region.

Two intelligence officials say the unmanned aircraft went down Saturday near Mir Ali, one of the main towns in the North Waziristan tribal area, the main sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida militants in Pakistan.

The officials say the drone caught fire after it hit the ground and was believed to have crashed because of technical problems. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Local resident Nasir Khan said he saw the burning debris from the roof of his home in the Machi Khel area. It was about 500 yards (meters) from his house.