Pakistan Army Accused of Revenge Killings

The Pakistani army may have saved Swat Valley from the Taliban, but The New York Times reports that order in the war-torn region comes at a high price: “Perhaps hundreds” of bodies are being dumped on the streets, and many say blood is on the military’s hands. The murders appear to be revenge killings of former Taliban members and supporters; they mimic Taliban torture methods and are “systematic,” suggesting something more organized than rogue civilian murders. The U.S.-supported Pakistani army denies the claims: “There are no extrajudicial killings in our system,” said a spokesman. But NYT notes that the deaths do not occur in places where the Pakistan army’s control is firm; they appear strategic at quelling and punishing Taliban sympathies. Some even say mass graves are involved. Human Rights Commission, a nongovernmental organization, claims reports on the military’s involvement are credible; meanwhile, government officials kicked out the International Committee of the Red Cross, which investigates illegal killings, from Swat Valley last month.