KHAAR (Bajaur), Nov 2: Militants shot dead a man suspected of spying for Pakistani and US authorities near the seminary where over 80 people were killed in this week’s air raid, witnesses said on Thursday.

The killing is believed to be the first carried out since thousands of pro-Taliban and Al Qaida tribesmen vowed after Monday’s missile attack to kill anyone found to be spying for Pakistani or US forces.

The bullet-riddled, mutilated body of local tribesman Mohammed Jan Khan was found on a dry stream bed in a mountainous area near Chingai village, the scene of the attack Pakistan’s military said it launched against a suspected terrorist training camp. Locals said those killed were innocent students and teachers.

Three tribesmen who saw the body said it had a note in Pushto language attached to it, saying Khan had been spying for American and Pakistan troops in the area for a long time and had been under observation.

All the witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears of recriminations from the authorities.

An intelligence official said Khan was killed because of suspicions he had provided information that had led to Monday’s attack. .

Khan, believed to be in his 30s and from the near-by village of Damadola, had apparently been killed recently, but it was unclear exactly when.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The militants operating in the semi-autonomous tribal region bordering Afghanistan routinely kill people suspected of collaborating with security forces chasing Al Qaida and Taliban terrorists.—AP