Army kills eight pro-Taliban militants in north-west Pakistan

Nov 15, 2007, 13:40 GMT

Islamabad - At least eight militants were killed Thursday as gunship helicopters pounded the positions of the armed supporters of a pro-Taliban cleric in Pakistan's north-west Swat valley, the military said.

'Today gunship helicopters targeted militant positions north of Kabal and Kuza Bande,' a statement released on the website of the army's Inter Services Public Relations said.

'In both these actions, local sources and militant communication intercept reports have confirmed that eight militants were killed and their ammunition dump and mortar positions were destroyed,' it added.

Meanwhile, there were also unconfirmed reports of civilian casualties in the local media.

At least 14 people died Thursday when a mortar shell fired by Pakistan army hit a house in Shangla area, Aaj news channel said.

The actions came a day after 35 people, 33 militants and two soldiers, were killed in the clashes between the government forces and the rebels, who have recently seized three major town in Swat valley.

The region has seen fierce battles between the Islamic extremists and the troops since late October when Islamabad sent additional troops to the region to put down the rebellion instigated by radicle cleric Maulana Fazlullah for the enforcement of Taliban rule.

Scores of people, including dozens of soldiers, have died in more than two-weeks violence.