Thousands of people have fled Swat as security forces stepped up an offensive against pro-Taliban militants, killing 20 on Tuesday, including two commanders.Witnesses said residents of Swat were leaving the area in large numbers after security forces broadcast warnings by loudspeaker. In Alpuri, headquarters of Shangla district, residents said almost all shops and government and private offices remained closed. “We have no option but to leave our home,” said Ali Ravi, who lost three members of his family on Sunday night when a mortar hit his residence in Tottvandi village, reported Reuters. “In certain areas the local population was advised to leave their homes to avoid collateral damage,” Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema confirmed to reporters.
Meanwhile, soldiers, backed by gunship helicopters, targeted local Taliban positions in the Yakh Tangai and Wahabkhel Kodkai areas of Shangla district. Local officials said six bodies, and as many injured, had been brought to SwatÂ’s Matta Hospital. Two of the dead were identified as Mohammad Amin and Mohammad Yousaf, commanders of rebel cleric Maulana Fazlullah. Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told Daily Times that 20 to 30 Taliban were killed in Monday nightÂ’s operation, while another 15 were killed as troops continued targeting their positions. Arshad claimed that schools had been reopened in Swat district and several residents had started returning to their homes.
Separately, residents said three locals had been killed in fighting in the Wahabkhel Kodkai area, although the army did not confirm any civilian casualties.
Also on Tuesday, officials said helicopter gunships targeted Taliban hideouts in Manglor Kas and Kanjoo areas of the district, resulting in the deaths of several miscreants. Amjad Iqbal, a spokesman for the Swat Media Cell, said 20 Taliban were killed and over 40 wounded as security forces attacked two schools where the militants had taken refuge in Kot Charbagh.
Taliban deny: However, Maulana FazlullahÂ’s spokesman Sirajuddin refuted such claims as baseless. He said none of the rebel clericÂ’s men was killed or injured in Kot Charbagh. The self-proclaimed spokesman, however, admitted that six militants had been killed and an equivalent number injured in military action in Shangla.
Proscribed organisation: Speaking to Daily Times over the telephone, Swat journalist Shahzad said a majority of those killed in the fresh military swoop were members of a proscribed organisation. Although the journalist did not mention the name of the banned outfit, another source said they belonged to Maulana Masood AzharÂ’s Jaish-e-Muhammad. Military officials and the Taliban were not available for comment. Meanwhile, APP reported that security forces had intercepted wireless communication between some militant groups in Shangla on Monday night, which had revealed that the militants have suffered heavy losses in the ongoing operation and are now in a state of despair. The militants were also heard saying that the civil population has turned against them and the security forces are carrying out effective operations.