Islamabad, Sep 7 (IANS): Pakistani forces on Monday started using its own spy aircraft to target militants in North Waziristan tribal region, the military said.

The security forces battling the Taliban have so far used fighter jets and helicopter gunships against the militants, Xinhua news agency reported.

Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said the country's homemade drone was used for the first time in North Waziristan and a strike of the drone killed three militants.

"First ever use of Pakistan made Burraq Drone today. Hit a terrorist compound in Shawal Valley (North Waziristan), killing three terrorists," the spokesman said.

The region had been focused of the US drone strikes that also caused some rift between the US and Pakistan.

In June last year, Pakistan launched a major offensive against the Pakistani Taliban and foreign militants, who had been using North Waziristan as a major operational base for attacks in the country and across the border into Afghanistan.