Pakistan rushed more troops to the volatile Swat valley as fierce fighting continued to rage for the second day today leading to the killing of over 60 militants so far, with authorities ordering Army to "eliminate" Taliban fighters.
Pakistani jets and helicopter gunships bombed several key Taliban strongholds including Kabal today, killing at least 12 militants today, TV channels reported.
As the fighting intensified, troops have pressed in tanks, fighters and heavy artillery to push out Taliban fighters from their positions inside houses in Mingora, the main town of Swat, and in the countryside as panicked residents continued to flee in droves from the town.
So far, 300,000 people are reported to have migrated from the scenic Swat valley, once Pakistan's most-favoured hill resort to other parts of NWFP and relief camps opened by the government.
Heavy fighting was also reported from Mingora as well as adjoining districts of Buner and Dir.
The Pakistan Army is advancing on three fronts against the Taliban-into Buner, Dir and Swat -- but the deadliest fighting is reported from Swat valley where militants are estimated to number more than 700 are putting up stiff resistance. Over 60 militants have been killed so far in the operations in Swat.
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Two Taliban commanders in Buner – Maulana Muhammad Alam Khalil and Maulana Yasir – claimed militants had caused "huge losses" among the security forces and looted arms from them.
Another militant commander in the region, Maulana Khalilur Rahman told The News daily that the Taliban were ready to "fight for years" for implementing Shariah or Islamic law.
At the same time he said, the Taliban would announce a ceasefire and lay down arms if the government showed sincerity in enforcing Shariah.
Fifty-five militants were killed yesterday when fighter jets, helicopters and artillery pounded militant bases in the region, the Dawn newspaper reported. The military said nine soldiers were killed and 10 injured.
So far in the operation in the three districts, Army has claimed that more than 300 Taliban fighters have been killed and huge quantities of arms and ammunition were recovered.
"We have decided to take out the top leadership of the militants in Swat," chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said.
Army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said his forces would commit enough resources to ensure "a decisive ascendancy over the militants".
Abbas said Taliban militants had been trained by al Qaeda fighters and also provided funds by them in Waziristan tribal region and some of these militants had made their way to Swat.
As the operations entered the sixth day in the entire NWFP, there were also unconfirmed reports of several civilians casualties but there was no official word.Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced that Pakistan's armed forces had been called in for "decisive" action to eliminate militants and terrorists who violated a peace deal in Swat and challenged the writ of his government.
"The nefarious activities of the extremists and terrorists and militants to disrupt peace and security had reached a stage wherein the government is constrained to believe that decision steps have to be taken," he said.
Meanwhile, confusion surrounded the death of Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammadi chief Sufi Muhammad's son Kifayatullah. The military said he was among 10 militants killed in an exchange of fire with paramilitary troops in Dir.
However, Kifayatullah's brother Rizwanullah said he was killed when a mortar shell fired by the security forces hit his home. Rizwanullah alleged the troops deliberately targeted their homes though the TNSM was struggling for peace through parleys.
Rizwanullah also said Kifayatullah was an Arabic teacher in a government school and had not taken active part in Sufi Muhammad's campaign for enforcing Shariah in Malakand division.