Taleban kill six men for spying'

January 20

Suspected Taleban militants have killed six men in north-west Pakistan after accusing them of spying for the United States, local officials say.

The bodies were found on roads in Miranshah and neighbouring Mir Ali in North Waziristan.

The lawless region is known to be a hub of Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.

At least 15 people have been killed by suspected militants in the region in the past two weeks for allegedly spying for US forces or Pakistan.

The total in North and South Waziristan over the past six years is now more than 100.

Drone attacks

Officials told the BBC Urdu service two of those killed were local tribesmen, while two were Afghan nationals from the eastern province of Khost.

The remaining two men were Pakistani nationals from Karak district in North West Frontier Province, they said.

Written notes found on the bodies said the men were punished for spying for US troops operating in Afghanistan.

The notes warned people not to remove the bodies until the end of the day so that people could see how the life of a "spy" would, an official said.

In recent weeks, local Taleban groups have claimed responsibility for such killings, saying the men killed were instrumental in guiding US drone attacks on militant camps in the region.(BBC)

They say the killings have led to a reduction in the frequency of the drone attacks.