By Farzana Shah-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Pakistan
Islamabad, 08 May, (Asiantribune.com): About nine soldiers were killed as Pakistani military intensified operation against the militants in northwest Pakistan.
Nine soldiers were killed, seven in one ambush, during clashes over the past 24 hours in the northwest district of Swat, ISPR spokesman Athar Abbas said on Thursday.
Seven of the soldiers were killed when militants ambushed a convoy at the entrance to Mingora.
"The troop carrier was coming and there were seven soldiers killed in that. Two soldiers were killed somewhere in the valley north of Matta," Abbas said.
The Swat offensive intensified on Thursday with gunship helicopters and jet fighters targeted militant hideouts in the district's Khwazakhela tehsil. Taliban have besieged the Matta police station, and police and militants continue to exchange fire.
In the adjoining Buner district, security forces continued their offensive against militants in Sultanwas and Pir Baba where the militants were offering stiff resistance.
Meanwhile, in the Lower Dir district's Maidan area, intense clashes between militants and security forces continued as 15 troops went missing.
Militants have claimed to kill at least 12 security personnel in Gumbar where a fierce gun battle had erupted between militants and security forces and casualties were feared.
Earlier, on Wednesday, 47 militants, 15 security personnel and 36 non-combatants were killed and several others wounded in fierce clashes and explosions in the Swat valley and other areas of the Malakand region.
Thirty-five civilians were reportedly killed either in crossfire between troops and militants and artillery fire or for violating curfew in different areas of Swat when a fresh military offensive was launched. Military sources admitted civilian deaths but did not confirm the number of casualties.
- Asian Tribune -
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