MINGORA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Thousands of people are fleeing a valley in north-western Pakistan after security forces warned them to leave ahead of a major operation against pro-Taliban militants, witnesses and officials said on Tuesday.
Helicopter gunships and artillery fire killed about 18 militants on Monday, the military said, as troops intensified efforts to drive rebel fighters out of the scenic Swat valley where they are trying to impose a strict Islamic code.
The army said on Saturday 15,000 troops would soon launch an offensive to clear militants led by pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah from the valley in North West Frontier Province, where more than 250 people have been killed in clashes in recent weeks.
Militants abduct 7 troops and a government official in northwestern Pakistan
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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