Releasing images of the alleged abuse of prisoners in U.S. custody could damage Pakistan's efforts to battle militants as well as increase the risks to American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the top U.S. commander in the region has told a federal judge. Gen. David Petraeus says, "Militant and extremist groups would use these images." The court documents urging a judge to keep the pictures under wraps, Gen. David Petraeus argued they would have a "destabilizing effect" on Pakistan and other U.S. partners in the battle against the al Qaeda terrorist network. "Newly released photos depicting abuse of detainees in U.S. military custody in Afghanistan and Iraq would negatively affect the ongoing efforts by Pakistan to counter its internal extremist threat," wrote Petraeus, the chief of U.S. Central command.