ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Army yesterday claimed that two close associates of a radical cleric who negotiated a peace deal between the Taleban and the government in northwestern region were killed during an ambush by the rebels.

The army convoy came under attack when it was transporting Muhammad Alam, the deputy of cleric Maulana Sufi Mohammad, and his spokesman Amir Izzat, from Malakand to Peshawar in North-West Frontier Province.

“The vehicle carrying the two aides was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED),” said army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas. He rejected the idea of a fake encounter to kill the prisoners and said IED attacks were a routine matter in the area and soldiers and officers were being killed daily in such attacks. However, Abbas did not rule out the possibility of militants killing the two to achieve certain objectives.

Alam and Izzat were arrested by the authorities Thursday along with three Afghan nationals, including a local Al-Qaeda commander named Dr. Ismail. The army was transporting them to hand over to intelligence officials for further interrogation.

The army launched a major offensive in Malakand region early last month after the Mohammad-brokered peace deal collapsed because the Taleban failed to observe its terms. The whereabouts of Mohammad since them has remained unknown. There were conflicting reports that he was also arrested by the intelligence agencies Thursday, together with his two sons, and was being held in Peshawar. The government and the military, however, denied any such arrests. “He (Sufi) is neither arrested nor is in the custody of forces,” Abbas said.

The military offensive in Swat and three districts of Malakand has so far eliminated more than 1,300 militants and left 105 soldiers dead. More than 300 security personnel have also been wounded. Abbas said yesterday during the last 24 hours the military had regained control of more areas from Taleban.

The forces killed 17 militants in Kabal sub-district and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. One soldier also died in clashes. A group of Taleban fighters fired several rockets and mortars at a military post in the Khwazakhela area, killing two soldiers. None of the top leaders of Swat militants had been confirmed killed or captured in the operation so far.

— With input from agencies