55 militants, 6 civilians killed in Swat: officials By Hameedullah Khan

Thursday, 07 May, 2009 11:45 PM PST

Trucks carrying Pakistan army soldiers on their way to the Swat valley, in Mardan near Peshawar.—AP

MINGORA: Fifty five militants and six non-combatants were killed while several others wounded as aircraft and artillery pounded militant positions in different areas of restive Swat valley on Thursday.

Official sources said that jetfighters, gunship helicopters and artillery bombed and shelled different areas of Swat included Bin Baba, Ziarat, Khwazakhela, Kuza Bamkhela, Malam Jabba, Shamozai, Kabal, Shagai and Zara Qilla overnight and on Thursday.

They said fifty five militants including Ibne Aaqil, brother of Matta sub-division commander Ibne Amin, was killed and several others sustained wounds in the gunfire, bombing and shelling. Ibne Aaqil was the second commander after his brother Ibne Amin.

Six civilians were also reportedly killed in the day-long gunbattle.

The ground forces have took positions in their respective areas but no forward movement was made. Sources said fresh military reinforcements were on the way via Shangla and Malakand to Swat. The full-fledged operation is likely within next twenty four hours, they added.

Over three lakh (0.3 million) Swatis have migrated to downward districts of Frontier province when the local administration declared relaxation of curfew from 7:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday.

The people of upper Swat district are still trapped in their houses as they have not get timely information about curfew relaxations, a local said, adding: ‘The telecommunication system, electricity, and water supply had been suspended to most of the localities in district.’

Men, women and children taking advantage of easing the curfew they residents came out of their houses catching cars and vehicles while some of them on foot.