PARACHINAR: Taliban fighters shot dead four suspected robbers that authorities were also chasing in northwest Pakistan, police said.

Police official Islamuddin said the four bodies were found Tuesday along a road in Hangu district.

A note identified the men and said they had confessed to their crime.

Islamuddin said police had confirmed that the four were suspected robbers that their officers had been seeking.

Taliban militants in northwest Pakistan frequently flog, execute or otherwise punish alleged criminals in a bid to gain public sympathy by imposing order in a largely lawless area.

Hangu is located near the Orakzai tribal region, where Pakistan's army is waging an offensive against militants.