[15/March/2010]

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Saba) -- A U.S. Defense Department official used private contractors to help track and kill suspected militants in Afghanistan, violating rules. Pentagon says the situation is under investigation, local media reported on Monday, according to Xinhua. 

The official, Michael Furlong, was accused of running an "off- the-book" operation under the guise of benign government information-gathering program, the New York Times reported.

Furlong set up a network of private contractors in Afghanistan and Pakistan, gathering information on the whereabouts of suspected militants and the location of militant camps. The information was in turn sent to military units and intelligence officials for possible lethal action, which may involve unmanned, remote-controlled drone strikes.

The tactic, generally considered illegal, might have been improperly funded by diverting money from a program designed to gather general information about the region. The secret use of private contractors may also be used to circumvent Pakistani rules prohibiting U.S. military operating in the country.

Furlong is investigated for contract fraud and other charges, and his program seemed to be shut down. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the story makes "serious allegations" that warrant further review by the department.

Saba