At least 13 bullet-riddled bodies of suspected militants were found in the Mandaow area of Shaktoi in South Waziristan . The men were shot dead and their bodies dumped in an un-populated area.
Officials confirmed retrieving the bodies from the Ladha tehsil but did not disclose their identity of the victims. Tribal sources claimed the slain men were from the Mehsud tribe and had gone missing about a month ago from different areas of the North Waziristan Agency.
No one has claimed responsibility for killing the men, who were believed to be linked with militant groups. Residents of the agency said the victims belonged to the Abakhel branch of the Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan.
A large number of militants have fallen victim to internal hostilities and clashes among rival factions. Officials and tribesmen confirm hostilities have flared among the armed groups recently, in spite of the fact that the major terror outfits have merged with each other.
