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Times of Oman
Pakistan army orders inquiry into Internet beating clip
AFP
03 October 2009 15:25:48 Oman Time
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military has ordered an inquiry into a video clip apparently showing members of the security forces viciously beating suspected militants, the army spokesman said Saturday.
The 10-minute clip, widely circulated on the Internet, shows men in Pakistan army uniforms questioning at least four suspects in turn, before pushing them to the ground and kicking and whipping the cowering and screaming detainees.
Some of the civilians appear old and all wear the traditional Pakistani salwar kameez outfit. Armed police in bullet-proof vests stand by and watch the scene, which appears to take place at a police station or detention centre.
"We have ordered a detailed investigation into this incident," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP. "The inquiry is underway and the culprits will face stern action if (the abuse) is proven," he said, refusing to give any details about the clip.
It is unclear where the alleged abuse took place, but the military in April launched a fierce offensive against Taliban militants across swathes of the northwest, starting in the one-time tourist haven of Swat valley.
Pakistani security forces are already facing questions about the mysterious appearance of about 250 dead bodies of suspected militants that have been turning up in Swat, some showing signs of torture.
The military claims to have almost cleared the scenic valley of Islamist fighters and says the dead rebels were killed by avenging local residents, but human rights groups have accused the army of extra-judicial killings.The military denies any responsibility and says no orders have been issued to execute suspected militants.
Swat had slipped out of government control after radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah mounted a violent campaign in which his followers beheaded opponents, burnt schools and fought against troops to enforce Islamic sharia law.
The army says nearly 2,150 militants and 177 soldiers were killed in the Swat, Buner and Lower Dir operations, and the military has now set its sights on an offensive in the lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
Pakistan army orders inquiry into Internet beating clip
AFP
03 October 2009 15:25:48 Oman Time
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military has ordered an inquiry into a video clip apparently showing members of the security forces viciously beating suspected militants, the army spokesman said Saturday.
The 10-minute clip, widely circulated on the Internet, shows men in Pakistan army uniforms questioning at least four suspects in turn, before pushing them to the ground and kicking and whipping the cowering and screaming detainees.
Some of the civilians appear old and all wear the traditional Pakistani salwar kameez outfit. Armed police in bullet-proof vests stand by and watch the scene, which appears to take place at a police station or detention centre.
"We have ordered a detailed investigation into this incident," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP. "The inquiry is underway and the culprits will face stern action if (the abuse) is proven," he said, refusing to give any details about the clip.
It is unclear where the alleged abuse took place, but the military in April launched a fierce offensive against Taliban militants across swathes of the northwest, starting in the one-time tourist haven of Swat valley.
Pakistani security forces are already facing questions about the mysterious appearance of about 250 dead bodies of suspected militants that have been turning up in Swat, some showing signs of torture.
The military claims to have almost cleared the scenic valley of Islamist fighters and says the dead rebels were killed by avenging local residents, but human rights groups have accused the army of extra-judicial killings.The military denies any responsibility and says no orders have been issued to execute suspected militants.
Swat had slipped out of government control after radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah mounted a violent campaign in which his followers beheaded opponents, burnt schools and fought against troops to enforce Islamic sharia law.
The army says nearly 2,150 militants and 177 soldiers were killed in the Swat, Buner and Lower Dir operations, and the military has now set its sights on an offensive in the lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.