US: Top al-Qaida Leader Killed in Pakistan

U.S. officials say a top al-Qaida leader has been killed in a drone attack in restive northwestern Pakistan.

The officials did not identify the person killed, but they said it was not al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

A U.S. television network, NBC, first reported the drone attack earlier this week. The exact date of the attack is unclear.

Earlier this week, Pakistani officials said a suspected U.S. drone attack killed at least three people in northwestern Pakistan.

Intelligence officials say the pace of attacks by drones (unmanned aircraft) has increased under the Obama administration.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.