(PTI) Atleast nine militants were killed today as helicopter gunships targeted Taliban hideouts in Pakistan's restive northwestern Swat valley even as the rebels blew up six shops belonging to a political leader in the same area. The militants were killed in air strikes carried out by the helicopters in Peochar area of Swat, where security forces have been conducting a major operation against Pakistani Taliban militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah.The helicopter gunships carried out fresh strikes in Ghat and Peochar areas, considered to be strongholds of the local Taliban.
Meanwhile, the Taliban blew up six shops belonging to a leader of the Awami National Party, which rules the North West Frontier Province, in Matta sub-district of Swat. No loss of life was reported in the attack.
The local Taliban had earlier sent letters to ANP leader and former federal minister Afzal Khan Lala to vacate the shops. Following this, the shops had been vacated.
In separate acts of violence, a traffic policeman was shot dead in Mingora, the main town in Swat district, while a retired school teacher was gunned down by unidentified men in Kabal sub-district. Militants also blew up a post office in Kabal early this morning. No casualties were reported in the bombing.