Militants behead 3 'fake' Taliban for 'defaming TTP'

Khar, Oct 29 (ANI): Three "common criminals" were beheaded by militants in Pakistan for allegedly masquerading as the Taliban while stealing and kidnapping for ransom.

The Dawn quoted local administrator Mairaj Khan as saying that the trio were captured two days ago, and their bodies dumped in fields in the Yaka Ghaound district of Mohmand.

Residents said a note was found near the bodies, identifying them as criminals "defaming" the Taliban.

"They were involved in various crimes, including theft and kidnapping for ransom, posing as Taliban. We killed them so others may learn a lesson from this," the note said.

A man, who identified himself as a local Taliban spokesman, accused the trio of masquerading as the Taliban, saying, "They were defaming our organisation,"

Pakistani Taliban have been blamed for many of the bomb attacks hitting Western targets, Pakistani security forces and civilians across the country over the past three years. (ANI)