At least 21 people were killed in two US drone strikes on Friday night in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of North Waziristan.

Local Urdu TV channel Dunya reported that US drones fired two missiles at a suspected militant hideout in Datta Khel, North Waziristan at about 9:00 p.m. local time, killing at least five people and destroying the house.

Later, US drones reportedly fired four missiles at the local rescuers, killing another 16 on the spot.

Identities of the deceased have not been immediately known.

Bordering Afghanistan, North Waziristan is believed to be a safe haven for militants who often launch cross-border attacks on the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

The US has insisted that drone strikes are effective to wipe out the militants holed up in Pakistan's northwest tribal regions near the Afghan border despite repeated protests by Islamabad.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Moazzam Khan said Thursday that talks are being held with the United States to find mutually acceptable solution to drone attacks.

"Pakistan has a clear position on drone attacks that these are counter-productive, violative of our territorial integrity and against international law," said the spokesman.