Pak: Former militant beheaded for supporting govt

Militants in the restive Khyber tribal region of Pakistan have killed seven of their former colleagues who had defected and begun supporting the government, according to media reports on Thursday.

Former Lashkar-e-Islam commander Hazrat Khan and his colleague Rehman were beheaded in front of a crowd at Speen Qabar Chowk in Bara area on Wednesday.

Two more of Khan's colleagues were shot dead at the same site. The bullet-riddled bodies of two more of Khan's followers were found in Yousuf Talab area. Another former militant was killed in Akakhel area.

Former commander Hazrat Khan had been kidnapped with six other men on Tuesday. Sources said Khan had surrendered to the security forces two months ago and was actively supporting a military operation against the banned Lashkar-e-Islam.

Before his surrender, Khan was linked to several attacks on security forces and kidnapping for ransom.