Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that militants have been "almost cleared" from the northwest of the country and were on the run, Online news agency reported on Saturday.
"Militants are on the run as Swat and Malakand have almost been cleared of them. This huge success in the battle for the integrity of Pakistan has been made possible by the sacrifices of our armed forces and the people," Zardari said in his message to the country on the eve of Defence Day on September 6.
"We will eliminate the militants and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it," he added.
"We are confronted with the menace of terrorism. In the decisive war against terrorism, the entire nation is supporting our armed forces. Our law-enforcing agencies have wiped out the terrorists from Swat and Malakand region," said Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his separate message.