A plane carrying the remains of murdered U.S. reporter Daniel Pearl has left Karachi International Airport heading for Los Angeles.

For the Peace of the Soul of Daniel Pearl

Coffin inscription

The wooden coffin had been driven through cleared streets of the southern Pakistani city in an armed convoy consisting of six police vans, a US consular vehicle and three ambulances.

One of the ambulances contained Mr Pearl's coffin - the other two were decoys in case of an attack by vengeful Islamic militants.

It was then loaded onto a Cathy Pacific flight back to the United States.

The Wall Street Journal correspondent was abducted and murdered by militants more than six months ago.

Final journey

Earlier on Wednesday, the coffin left a private mortuary and was placed in an ambulance in the presence of two US consular officials.

Mr Pearl's body was found in a shallow grave

A floral wreath on the coffin bore the inscription: "For the Peace of the Soul of Daniel Pearl".

The wreath was from the Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation, a welfare group that runs the mortuary where Mr Pearl's remains were kept.

At the airport, the convoy drove straight on to the tarmac and into the cargo terminal to await the commercial flight to Los Angeles.

Pakistani police believe Mr Pearl was killed within two weeks of being abducted.

His captors filmed his decapitation and sent the recording to the US consulate on 21 February.

Forensic tests

Mr Pearl's torso, head and other body parts were found in a shallow grave on 17 May on the city's outskirts, next to a blood-stained hut.

Omar Sheikh has been sentenced to death

Forensic test were carried out to establish they were Mr Pearl and the results were made public last month.

Four Islamic militants have been convicted of plotting to kidnap and murder the reporter.

The ringleader, British-born Omar Sheikh, was sentenced to death by hanging while his three accomplices were sentenced to life in prison.

All four have lodged appeals which are due to be heard by a court next week.