Pakistan to investigate video of soldiers executing blindfolded men

[News_Editor]

Pakistan to investigate video of soldiers executing blindfolded men

2010-10-09 00:39:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday ordered an investigation into an internet video that shows apparent military soldiers executing six blindfolded individuals, local media reported.

Kayani issued the order to investigate the case and to determine the authenticity of the internet video, which lasts approximately 5 and a half minutes. The video has been circulating around the globe, prompting international concern over human rights violations during military operations.

In the video, the blindfolded young men are lined up against a wall and, at the sound of gunfire, their bodies begin dropping to the ground. Two of the uniformed men then approach each body to fire a single shot from close range at each one of them.

"It is not expected of a professional army [soldier] to engage in excesses against the people whom it is trying to guard against the scourge of terrorism," Kayani said, stating that investigations will also be looking into identifying the uniformed men.

Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch welcomed the investigation, but appeared to have doubts. "While we welcome the announcement from General Kayani it remains to be seen whether this inquiry will be meaningful or is just a sop to the international community," Hasan said.

On Thursday, U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley called on the Pakistani government to investigate these extra-judicial killings on alleged human rights violations.

If the video is determined authentic, the Pakistan-U.S. military relationship could be severely hampered, and U.S. military subsidiaries - approximately $2 billion - could be lost as laws prohibits international military funding for countries that violate human rights.

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