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Pentagon lists 50 Afghan drug lords on 'hit list'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-11 04:19

WASHINGTON:Signaling a major shift of U.S. anti-drug policy in Afghanistan, the Pentagon has listed 50 Afghan drug lords connected to Taliban on a "hit list," according to a Congressional study released on Monday.

U.S. military leaders believe the policy to be legal under U.S. and international law and say it is crucial to disrupt the flow of drug money into the hands of Taliban, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee study said.

They told the Senate that two credible sources and substantial additional evidence were required before a name was placed on the list, and only those providing support to the insurgency would be made targets.

The 50 drug lords are among 367 individuals in Afghanistan targeted by the U.S. military for capture or killing.

The disclosure of the "hit list" may lead to criticism among U. S. public over the nature of U.S. mission in that country, analysts said.

Moreover, U.S. allies have raised questions about the Pentagon' s strategy of hitting individuals who are not traditional military targets.