Six foreign militants killed in Swat

By our correspondent

MINGORA: The security forces killed six foreign militants and arrested 14 others on Thursday while nine Taliban, including an important commander, surrendered to the authorities as operation Rah-e-Rast continued in parts of the Swat valley.

The Army-run Swat Media Centre (SMC) update said the security forces’ search operation was carried out in Banjot, Jambel and Malam Jabba areas. Security forces killed six Uzbek militants in their hideout after receiving a tip-off provided by an elderly citizen in the area.

Fourteen other militants were arrested in the Malam Jabba area during a search operation, the SMC said. Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition, explosives and cash during the search operations in the same areas.

Nine militants in Kanju Fort and Barshaur laid down arms and surrendered to security forces, official sources said. An important militant commander, identified as Nisar, surrendered to troops in the Damghar area.

Meanwhile, US ambassador Anne W Patterson visited the Swat valley and reiterated her government’s unflinching support to Pakistan and the people of Malakand in the rehabilitation of the displaced persons.

The US ambassador visited the Government Girls High School in Saidu Sharif and interacted with the students. Later, the ambassador was given a briefing about the military operation in the valley against militants at the Circuit house in Mingora.

The ambassador was accompanied by incharge Special Support Group (SSG) of the Army Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmad. The envoy also had an aerial view of Kabal, Mata, Khwazakhela and other parts of the valley.

In her brief speech on the occasion, she said the US was fully supporting the efforts of the Pakistani government in the rehabilitation process of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).“We will extend every possible help to the government in rehabilitation of the IDPs,” she said while lauding sacrifices of the people of the Malakand division. Stringent security arrangements were made during the visit of the US envoy.

source: www.thenews.com.pk