30 militants killed as army launches grand operation

MINGORA: Eventually Army has launched a grand operation against pro-Taliban Maulana Fazlullah and his armed militants after imposing curfew for an indefinite time in the picturesque highland valley on Sunday.

The security forces have besieged Imam Dehri village, a stronghold of the militants, a day after food and necessary items supply was discontinued to the area.

"Curfew has been imposed in the valley for indefinite time to deny the militants any chance to escape," said Iqbal, in charge of Press Media Centre in Mingora.

He said the army artillery and gunship helicopters have destroyed the ammunition reserve of the militants, main source of their weaponry in a government school in Imam Dehri.

Security forces have secured prominent heights including Najia top and Usmani Sar thus dominating Imam Dehri, Kuza Banda, Bara Banda and Ningualai areas.

Authorities have confirmed the death of 30 militants, one security personnel and four other injured in the operation launched on Saturday midnight.

Till filling of this report, the security forces were shelling the hideouts of militants from Saidu Sharif airport, FC Kanju camp, Golf Course, Fizagut, Rumi rest-house and Kabal areas.

It was learnt that three painters, who were working at a house at Salundai, and two others persons at Bandai village were killed by mistake as mortar shells fired by military hit them.

Telephone lines and mobile connections had been off in the areas still in the control of Maulana Fazlullah's militants. Power supply to the affected areas in Swat had also been suspended.