Pakistan said Sunday its forces had killed 10 militants in the last 24 hours in the northwest Swat valley, where ground troops are battling to wrest the main town out of Taliban hands.

"In (the) last 24 hours, 10 militants were killed in various areas of Swat during exchanges of fire between miscreants and security forces, while 14 have been arrested," a military statement said.

"Three security forces personnel embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and six were injured," it added.

Security forces began pounding insurgent positions in three districts in the northwest late last month, after Taliban fighters advanced to within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the capital Islamabad.

The military said that its troops had Sunday made advances across the main town in the Swat valley, Mingora — which has been under Taliban control for weeks — and five insurgents were killed in the urban street battles.

In Swat's former Taliban bastion of Peochar, a "huge cache" of arms and a bomb-making facility were discovered in militant hideouts, it added.

The military says more than 1,100 militants and 66 soldiers have died in the onslaught launched in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8, but those tolls cannot be confirmed independently.

There has not been any official word on civilian casualties.

earlier related report

Pakistan military kills 17 militants in northwest: statement

Pakistan said Friday its forces killed 17 militants during fighting in northwest Swat valley, where fighter jets and ground troops have embarked on a major offensive against Taliban rebels.

Three soldiers were also killed and 10 injured in various areas of Swat valley, Pakistan military said in a statement.

The military said that its troops had made advances and expanded its control of various areas including Peochar, a Taliban bastion in northern Swat.

The military says more than 1,060 militants and more than 63 soldiers have been killed since forces launched an offensive against advancing Taliban militants in northwest Pakistan late last month.

Death tolls are impossible to confirm independently with the combat area a closed military zone, sealed off to journalists and aid workers.

Neither has there been any official word on civilian casualties.

Share This Article With Planet Earth