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Four Pakistan hostages 'beheaded' Pakistan militants behead guards
(30 minutes later)
Militants have beheaded at least four security officials taken hostage in north-west Pakistan following an army attack, officials say. Militants in north-west Pakistan have beheaded six security officials and killed seven civilians in apparent reprisals for an army attack.
Eleven men were kidnapped on the outskirts of Swat on Friday after Thursday's attack on the stronghold of pro-Taleban militant Maulana Fazlullah. The army attack on the stronghold of pro-Taleban militant Maulana Fazlullah on Thursday left at least 17 soldiers and a number of civilians dead.
That attack left at least 17 soldiers and a number of civilians dead. The bodies of the guards reportedly had notes saying they were American agents.
Swat is one of a number of areas near the Afghan border where militants have been gaining control in recent months.Swat is one of a number of areas near the Afghan border where militants have been gaining control in recent months.
One police official told Associated Press news agency that all 11 men had been beheaded but this could not be independently confirmed. Leaflets dropped
It was unclear how many civilians and how many security personnel were in the group. Reports say the civilians who were killed were dragged out of a minibus.
Four bodies were recovered before dawn in Ningulai village, police said. A local resident told Associated Press news agency the bodies of the security officials had notes on them reading: "It is the fate of an American agent. Whoever works for America will face the same fate."
A local resident said the bodies had notes on them reading: "It is the fate of an American agent. Whoever works for America will face the same fate."
Sirajuddin, a spokesman for Maulana Fazlullah, said the killings were carried out by "common people, who support us because we only want enforcement of Islamic laws".Sirajuddin, a spokesman for Maulana Fazlullah, said the killings were carried out by "common people, who support us because we only want enforcement of Islamic laws".
Security forces dropped leaflets on Saturday urging residents to "eliminate extremism and terrorism from the Swat valley".Security forces dropped leaflets on Saturday urging residents to "eliminate extremism and terrorism from the Swat valley".
Eyewitnesses said Thursday's violence started when troops were airlifted to positions on the hilltops surrounding Maulana Fazlullah's stronghold.Eyewitnesses said Thursday's violence started when troops were airlifted to positions on the hilltops surrounding Maulana Fazlullah's stronghold.
The cleric said earlier this week that he was leaving the area.The cleric said earlier this week that he was leaving the area.
On Wednesday the army deployed 2,500 more troops to the region to combat the rising militancy.On Wednesday the army deployed 2,500 more troops to the region to combat the rising militancy.
Maulana Fazlullah has reportedly used radio broadcasts to call for jihad, or holy war, against the Pakistani authorities.Maulana Fazlullah has reportedly used radio broadcasts to call for jihad, or holy war, against the Pakistani authorities.
In July at least 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a militant attack in Swat.In July at least 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a militant attack in Swat.
It was part of a wave of attacks on the army in response to the security forces' storming of the radical Red Mosque in the capital, Islamabad, that left more than 100 people dead.It was part of a wave of attacks on the army in response to the security forces' storming of the radical Red Mosque in the capital, Islamabad, that left more than 100 people dead.