Paramilitary troops backed by gunship helicopters killed 10 militants loyal to a pro-Taliban cleric on Sunday in Swat in the third straight day of clashes, officials said.Troops targeted hideouts of the militants in scenic Swat valley, the stronghold of Maulana Fazlullah. “We have reports that 10 extremists were killed in the action,” military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP. However, Online reported that 12 militants and two civilians had been killed.
Militants opened fire on security forces in Manglore and Kot, prompting retaliatory fire from troops backed by the helicopters, a military statement said. It added that security forces had driven militants from Fizagat village near Mingora. Gen Arshad accused the militants of terrorising and killing local villagers in the region. “We needed to take tough action against a handful of these extremists who are trying to defy the government’s writ and terrorise local people,” he said.
Girl killed, 12 injured: A girl was killed and 12 civilians including two reporters were injured by stray shells fired during the fighting between militants and security forces, Saleem Athar reports from Mingora.
Security forces have entered Manglor village, 10 kilometres northeast of Mingora, the main town in Swat valley, and forced militants to flee their hideouts, Gen Arshad said. “They are operating to establish the writ of the government in areas where miscreants have threatened public peace and order. The security forces have extended their positions,” Gen Arshad said. “Until such time as these people are evicted from the area and peace is restored and innocent people are given full security, I think this is going to continue,” he said.
Meanwhile, police and paramilitary troops set up sandbagged bunkers in Kabal. In the nearby village of Tiligram, militants blew up an unmanned police post. The violence has hit normal life in the region, bringing markets and other trade to a standstill, officials said. Thousands of people were reported fleeing towns and some roads were closed in Swat.
Jirga: Locals constituted a 25-member peace jirga that later met with the militants, Online reported. The jirga will later brief government authorities on their talks.