Militants kill 'US spy' in Pakistan

MIRANSHAH: Suspected pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal belt shot dead an Afghan man accused of spying for United States forces operating in neighbouring Afghanistan, officials said on Friday.   

The body of 50-year-old Saidur Rehman was found dumped in a ditch near the bazaar of the border town of Lwara Mandi in the lawless district of North Waziristan, a security official said.   

"Militants sliced off flesh from his thigh first, and then shot him dead," the official said.   

They left a note near his body claiming that he was an American spy.   

The note said Rehman, an Afghan national, was captured in the remote town three days ago, carrying a satellite phone and an instrument apparently to guide jets for bombings.   

"We interrogated him for three days and killed him after he confessed," it read.   

Militants linked to Afghanistan's ousted Taliban militia have killed several pro-government tribesmen and Afghan refugees in recent months on charges of spying for US forces.