1 May 2010

Kidnapped human rights activist killed

6:23 am on 1 May 2010

The body of a Pakistani human rights activist has been found in the North Waziristan tribal area, several weeks after he was kidnapped there.

Officials say Khalid Khawaja's body was found in a ditch near the town of Mir Ali. He had been shot in the head and chest.

A note attached to the body claimed that Mr Khawaja - a former Pakistani intelligence officer - was a United States agent.

Mr Khawaja, along with two other men, had been missing for several weeks after travelling into North Waziristan.

The BBC reports his captors demanded a ransom and the release of Taliban fighters in exchange for their release.