17 militants die as Pak bombs Taliban positions

Islamabad: At least 17 militants were killed on Monday when Pakistani combat jets and gunship helicopters bombed suspected Taliban positions in the troubled northwestern Swat valley and adjoining Bajaur tribal region.

Ten militants were killed when jets struck militant positions at several places in Charmang and Loisam sub-districts of Bajaur Agency, considered strongholds of the local Taliban. A number of militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombing, TV channels reported.

The militant positions were also targeted with artillery, reports said. There was no official word on the casualties though local residents said the toll could rise.

Reports said four civilians, including women, were also killed in the bombardment.

In the restive Swat valley in North West Frontier Province, security forces killed seven militants and injured ten more in an exchange of fire in Kabal sub-district. The security forces retaliated when they were fired at by militants, a spokesman said.

In the Taliban-dominated Darra Adam Khel region of NWFP, Frontier Corps troops captured five militants, including two commanders, and seized two trucks packed with arms and ammunition.

Pakistani security forces have stepped up the bombardment of Taliban positions in Bajaur and Swat with combat jets and gunship helicopters over the past few days.

Over 60 people, including 22 civilians, were killed in air strikes and gun battles in Swat and Bajaur yesterday. The News daily put the death toll in yesterday's air strikes in the Taliban-dominated Matta sub-district of Swat at 100, including some 25 militants.

However, it did not give a detailed break-up of the casualties or the areas where they had occurred.

Top US official praises Pak army for combating militants

Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher has lauded the efforts of the Pakistan armed forces to clear the restive areas in the NWFP and the tribal belt along the border with Afghanistan of Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.

Boucher, who held a series of meetings, including with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani among others said Pakistan was showing resolve to combat the threat from militants.

Boucher's visit to Islamabad comes amid strains between Washington and Islamabad over suspected American air strikes on militant targets in Pakistani territory.

The strikes, which American officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan rarely confirm or deny has angered Pakistan's new leaders, who feel it will fan feelings in the region.

The diplomat also visited the NWFP and met governor Owais Ahmed Ghani on Sunday. His visit comes as Pakistani forces used fighter jets and artillery to target militant strongholds in Bajaur and Swat valley tribal belt, killing six of them.

Pakistan has launched a major offensive since August against militants all along the border with Afghanistan and it claims to have killed more than 1,000 militants in the operations.

Boucher said it was good that Pakistan is taking "serious military action".

He also called on Premier Gilani this morning and discussed the political and security situation in Pakistan. Gilani briefed him on the measures adopted to establish the writ of the government in the tribal areas, sources said.