PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Intelligence officials and a local resident say a suspected U.S. drone has crashed in Pakistan's lawless tribal area near the Afghan border.

The officials say the crash occurred Sunday in North Waziristan, some 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) northwest of the main town of Miran Shah.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.

Local resident Saudur Rehman says he heard gunfire just before he saw the drone crash and local tribesmen were congratulating each other for shooting it down.

A similar crash occurred in September 2008, but the Pakistani army denied claims by intelligence officials that troops and local people shot down the aircraft. It said it was a technical problem. (AP)