Taliban militants shoot dead US spy

Taliban militants shot dead a man in one of Pakistan's lawless tribal areas accused of spying for US forces across the border in Afghanistan, officials said.

Taliban militants on Thursday shot dead a man in one of Pakistan's lawless tribal areas accused of spying for US forces across the border in Afghanistan, officials said.

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The 30-year-old was abducted from Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan, a month ago after a suspected US drone attack on a militant hideout in the area, they said.

"He was gunned down before dawn and his body was dumped on a roadside near Miranshah," said an official who aked not to be named. A note placed near the body described him as a "US spy."

Pakistan's rugged tribal belt is home to hundreds if not thousands of Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants who entered from Afghanistan after a US-led invasion toppled the hardline Taliban regime in late 2001.

The militants have killed dozens of local tribesmen, government officials and Afghan refugees -- some of them beheaded -- over allegations of spying for Pakistan troops or foreign forces operating in Afghanistan.

Also in North Waziristan, militants late Wednesday released a senior government official who was abducted last month from the Mir Ali district, officials said.

"Asmatullah Wazir was freed unconditionally last night," a local official said, adding that his release had come following official "pressure" on his abductors.