Pakistan rushes more troops to Swat, 60 Taliban killed

Pakistan rushed more troops to the volatile Swat valley as fierce fighting continued to rage for the second day today leading to the killing of over 60 militants so far, with authorities ordering Army to "eliminate" Taliban fighters.Factbox

Pakistan rushed more troops to the volatile Swat valley as fierce fighting continued to rage for the second day today leading to the killing of over 60 militants so far, with authorities ordering Army to "eliminate" Taliban fighters.

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Pakistani jets and helicopter gunships bombed several key Taliban strongholds including Kabal today, killing at least 12 militants today, TV channels reported.

As the fighting intensified, troops have pressed in tanks, fighters and heavy artillery to push out Taliban fighters from their positions inside houses in Mingora, the main town of Swat, and in the countryside as panicked residents continued to flee in droves from the town.

So far, 300,000 people are reported to have migrated from the scenic Swat valley, once Pakistan's most-favoured hill resort to other parts of NWFP and relief camps opened by the government.
Heavy fighting was also reported from Mingora as well as adjoining districts of Buner and Dir.

The Pakistan Army is advancing on three fronts against the Taliban -- into Buner, Dir and Swat -- but the deadliest fighting is reported from Swat valley where militants are estimated to number more than 700 are putting up stiff resistance. Over 60 militants have been killed so far in the operations in Swat.