Missing Pakistani journalist found dead

An investigative reporter of Pakistan was found dead on Tuesday who went missing for two days following the publication of his articles on Pakistan's Navy men's link with al-Qaeda. The well-known reporter had earlier complained of threats from the Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The 40-year-old Pakistani reporter, Syed Saleem Shahzad, was Pakistan bureau chief for Asia Times Online. His dead body was found in Punjab province just about 200 km from Islamabad. His brother-in-law Hamza Amir  identified his body which was fished out of a canal here and was found near his Toyota Corolla car at Sarai Alamghir near Jhelum town, police said.

Shahzad is survived by his widow, two sons and a daughter. He is the author of 'Inside al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond Bin Laden and 9/11' which was  published earlier this month.

The ISI had warned the journalist on several occasions over his articles which they considered detrimental to national interest, said sources.

The last report he wrote on May 29 gave details of communication between the Pakistan navy and al-Qaeda operatives. It also highlighted the report of  how the terror group had infiltrated the Karachi naval base to organise the massive attack on May 22.

Pakistani journalists have planned to take out procession against the brutal killing of their fellow journalist , Syed Saleem Shahzad, on Wednesday.