ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces backed by the military have recovered most of the tribal areas in the Swat Valley.
As many as 15 people including five civilians were killed yesterday in Mingora town. Army’s gunships and field artillery have been pounding militants strongholds for last three days.
An official said “security forces continued pounding militants’ positions overnight in Swat.” Security forces targeted militants’ hide-outs last night in Kabal, Matta and Charbagh.
Meanwhile, Koza Bandai, Bar Bandai, Tangolai and Shakardara areas remained under curfew for seventh consecutive day yesterday as unannounced curfew clamped several areas of Charbagh and Khawazakhel. According to Swat Media Center, the army managed to established government’s writ and militant leaders are now communicating with the official forces through back channels.
A roadside bomb hit a Pakistani Army convoy near a Taleban stronghold, killing three soldiers and wounding another six. Assailants detonated the bomb Friday evening as the convoy rolled through a village near the Swat Valley, an army spokesman said. He requested anonymity, citing policy.
The Taleban on Friday distributed leaflets in another tribal region near the Afghan border, warning the Pakistan Army not to set up medical camps or carry out development work.
The leaflets were handed out in a market in Mir Ali, a small town in North Waziristan where the bodies of six local tribesmen were found in the rubble of a house destroyed in a suspected US missile strike last week.
One shopkeeper, who did not want to give his name for security reasons, said Taleban drove past, throwing the leaflets out of a car window.
— With input from agencies
