Pak orders probe into commando killings

Pakistan PM Gilani has ordered an inquiry into allegations that a top official had facilitated the execution of four Pakistan Army commandos by the Taliban.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has ordered an inquiry into allegations that a top official had facilitated the execution of four Pakistan Army commandos by the Taliban.

Syed Muhammad Javed,who was earlier the Commissioner of Malakand division,was removed from his post last month for his soft attitude towards the Taliban and militant commanders. Authorities have blamed Javed for failing to prevent spread of the Taliban from Swat to Buner and Dir.

Media reports have suggested that Javed facilitated the execution of four Special Services Group commandos,who were captured by militants,by failing to press for their release. The four commandos were reportedly shot and then beheaded by the militants.

During a recent interaction with journalists,Gilani said: Let me assure you that notice of the reports about the role of the former Malakand Commissioner in the beheading of four SSG commandos has been taken at the highest level and he would be punished in the light of the report.

Javed,nicknamed godfather of Taliban in Swat,has been accused of acting as an advisor to the militants. Residents of Buner have accused him of lying to facilitate the fall of their city to Tajik and Uzbek fighters last month.

Gilani was told by journalists that the kin of a commando had pointed out in the presence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan that the former Malakand Commissioner was involved in the killing of the soldiers.

According to the families of the commandos,they killed eight militants after they found out they were to be executed. Two militants then shot the commandos before they were beheaded.

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In view of the humanitarian crisis in northwest Pakistan,the UN on Friday launched an appeal for 543 million for more than 2 million people displaced by fighting.

The UN has warned of a long-term humanitarian crisis and called for massive aid for nearly 1.7 million people displaced by the offensive and about 555,000 people who were forced from their homes earlier by fighting in the region.

The scale of this displacement is extraordinary in terms of size and speed and has caused incredible suffering, said Martin Mogwanja,the acting UN humanitarian coordinator,in launching the flash appeal.

We require a total 543 million assistance until the end of December this year, Mogwanja told diplomats and reporters.

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The UN appeal came a day after Pakistans allies promised 224 million in aid for the displaced after the Government warned that the militants could exploit a failure to help.

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm Mike Mullen said on Thursday a US military offensive in southern Afghanistan could push Taliban into Pakistan. The US is pouring thousands of extra troops into Afghanistan to try to reverse gains by a resurgent Taliban.