Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistani forces kill five militants in Swat valley

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 24, IRNA -- Pakistani security forces have killed five militants in the restive Swat valley in the northwest in two separate encounters, security sources said Sunday.

The sources said that three miscreants were killed in Matta area of Swat late Saturday night.

Taliban leader Maulana Fazalullah, who led a bloody campaign against Pakistan, is believed to be hiding somewhere in the mountainous areas of Swat.

Fazalullah appeared in a video this year and warned guerilla attacks on Pakistani security forces in Swat.

The offensives had displaced hundreds of thousands of people from Swat.

“Three miscreants were seen in Guarbanar area of Matta on night of October 23-24. They were chased and killed,” security sources told reporters.

“Two miscreants were also seen in Kharairi of Matta. They were chased and killed,” they said.

There was no report of any casualty on the part of the security forces.

The clashes raised concern about the presence of the militants in Swat valley.

In another incident, the security forces killed a militant commander Hazrat Omar in Muhmand tribal region, Pakistan said.

Omar was killed in counter attack by forces after the militants attacked a checkpoint at Saafi area of Muhmand agency.

In Bajaur tribal region, the militants blew up two schools in their campaign against educational institutions, Pakistani officials said.