NEW DELHI. Nov 10: An elite commando has alleged in court that police in the Indian state of Punjab killed 11 suspected Sikh militants, in cold blood to earn cash rewards and promotions, a newspaper reported on Thursday, says AFP.

Satwant Singh Manak. a member of the "Blackcat'' commando force, urged the state High Court in the Punjab capital bf Chandigarh on Wednesday to punish the officers responsible 'for the alleged' killings. The Tribune said.

Police in the northern state have been frequently accused by human rights groups of murdering suspected Sikh separatists In staged gunbattles. but it was the first instance of an officer publicly corroborating such accusations.

Manak named the 11 suspects who. he said, were killed In his presence by police after being tortured both "physically and mentally."

"Some of the bodies were cremated without following legal formalities." The Tribune quoted him aS saying In a petition to the court.

"The police officers re sorted to this modus operand! to earn cash awards and out-ofturn promotions." he alleged, adding that' he was helpless to stbp the killings because "everything was being done at the behest of his superiors."

Counsel for Manak urged the court to order the Central Bureau of Investigation or a sitting judge to probe the killings, arrest guilty officers and compensate the families of the victims.

They also requested secu rity cover for the petitioner saying he feared for his life.

Judges R P Sethi and Sat Pal Issued notices to the stale government and the police department to respond to the allegations. The Tribune said