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140 Taliban killed in ‘full-scale’ Swat operation

* ISPR says Taliban on the run, trying to block exodus of civilians
* 7 troops die as security forces secure Khawazakhela and Chamtalai

By Sajjad Malik

RAWALPINDI: The security forces killed more than 140 Taliban as the military operation continued in the restive Swat valley on Friday. Thirteen of them were killed in a major gunbattle at Matta police station.

Seven soldiers were also killed as the security forces took control of Khawazakhela and Chamtalai, ISPR Director General Maj Gen Athar Abbas said in a media briefing.

He said military had launched a “full-scale operation” in Swat and the Taliban were on the run. He said the Taliban were trying to block an exodus of civilians through coercion, taking hostages, bombings and blocking roads with trees.

According to Reuters, he said there were 4,000 to 5,000 Taliban in Swat, including Uzbeks and Tajiks.

On Friday, troops targeted Taliban mountaintop training camps, ammunition dumps and command and communication centres in precision strikes. “Special care has been taken to strike identified targets and those targets which are away from populated areas,” he said.

Ten Taliban were killed in attacks in Takhtaband, Qambar Top and the house of a local lawyer. Another 10 were killed in an attack by helicopter gunship in Kabal. Five Taliban including commander Akbar Ali were killed in Kanju.

The ISPR director general said the Taliban killed the brother of Khawazakhela union council nazim and kidnapped two policemen from Sor Bridge in Khawazakhela. They also fired six rockets at the Circuit House in Mingora, killing a soldier.

The ISPR said the Taliban resistance in Buner had been reduced considerably, but they were maintaining positions at Sultanwas and Pir Baba.

A search and cordon operation continued in Lower Dir. Fifteen Taliban were killed in an attack on a Taliban compound in Maidan, Gen Abbas said, adding that they included two key commanders.

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