Fighting between Pakistani troops and Islamic militants has resumed in the Swat valley as a cease-fire in effect since Monday disintegrated.

Pakistan’s English language Dawn newspaper reported Thursday security forces, sent to regain control of the once popular tourist region from a fiery pro-Taliban cleric, used helicopter gun ships to attack the militants’ positions.

A spokesman for the militants told the newspaper two of their fighters had died and 11 more injured but there were no other independent reports of casualties.

The report said the tenuous cease-fire came apart after militants set fire to a police post and attacked a health clinic with women health workers, escaping with some vehicles. Separately, a police station at another location reportedly came under rocket attack.

A senior local official told Dawn the militants had set up check posts in some of the areas to abduct government officials returning home.

More people began fleeing their homes with the resumption of fighting, the report said.

The Swat district is being overrun by militants led by Maulana Fazlullah, who uses radio broadcasts to urge his followers to attack the troops. 
 // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 01 November 2007   

Source:

Archive