Army incensed over mutilations

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Pakistani soldiers fighting pro-Taliban militants in the country's tribal areas allegedly have seen bodies mutilated by insurgents, it was reported Wednesday.

The mutilations have included decapitations and burning, Pakistan’s English language newspaper Dawn reported Wednesday, quoting a security official.

“This is not something new. No culture allows mutilation of bodies. Only terrorists can do such a thing,” the official said.

Fierce battles between the militants and Pakistani security forces have been raging since Sunday in tribal North Waziristan, with the death toll mounting, according to various reports. The fighting began after the military was repeatedly ambushed, taking numerous casualties in roadside bombings, Dawn reported.

Residents in the some of the tribal areas hit by the military are reportedly suspected of being supporters of the militants either by choice or by force.

“Locals should ask those who fire on security forces, carry out ambushes and roadside bombings and then hide amongst them," Dawn quoted Pakistan military spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad as saying. "If militants fire on us from rooftops and compounds, they become legitimate targets.”