Eurasia Press & News
MINGORA, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani security forces killed 10 Islamist militants and destroyed several hideouts in a clash in the troubled northwestern Swat valley on Sunday, the military said.
Clashes intensified after troops carrying out a search operation in Matta, a militant stronghold, came under rocket fire, a spokesman said.
“We retaliated after the militants’ attacked and we have confirmed reports of 10 dead from their side,” a military spokesman in the area told Reuters.
He said troops destroyed several hideouts and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition.
Violence flared in Swat last week when militants seeking to impose Taliban style Islamic law in the valley resumed fighting after accusing the government of backtracking on a promise made in a peace treaty.
The militants took hostage 30 police and paramilitary soldiers and close to 50 people were killed in fighting in the past week.
