Security forces on Thursday killed 10 Taliban in Malam Jabba and Matta tehsil in Swat, according to APP, as unidentified assailants killed a former Awami National Party (ANP) candidate for the provincial assembly from Dir in Swat. "The troops targetted (Taliban) hideouts in Malam Jabba and destroyed a vehicle prepared for a suicide explosion," APP news agency quoted the spokesman of Swat Media Centre as saying. He said that six Taliban fighters were killed in the offensive. In Matta tehsil, the news agency said that troops attacked a Taliban vehicle, killing four fighters.
Meanwhile in Bajaur, troops began patrolling areas captured from the Taliban in Nawagai tehsil. People displaced by a military operation are now being allowed to return to their homes in areas captured from the Taliban. Six killed in Swat: In Swat, assailants killed six people -- including the former ANP candidate for the provincial assembly -- in separate incidents.
Police said the ANP's Shamim Khan was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mingora. Police suspect Shamim was killed over a personal enmity. In Khwazakhela area of Swat, armed men killed two people on charges of 'spying for the government'. Two more men were killed in Kabal teshil, while assailants killed a man in Taj Chow area of Mingora. Policeman survives assassination bid: In Peshawar, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) survived a Taliban assassination. Policeman killed: In Miranshah, AFP reported a policeman was killed while three of his colleagues were injured when Taliban fired rockets at the Haveda Police Station in Bannu.