Two top Taliban commanders killed in northwest Pakistan

Two militant commanders believed to be close aides of Maulana Fazlullah, the Taliban chief in Swat valley in northwest Pakistan, were killed on Saturday in clashes with security forces.

Two militant commanders believed to be close aides of Maulana Fazlullah, the Taliban chief in Swat valley in northwest Pakistan, were killed on Saturday in clashes with security forces.

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The commanders, identified only as Salman and Ayub, were killed in Kabal sub-division of Swat, the army-run media centre in Swat said.

In a separate incident, a key Taliban commander blew himself up late last night when police raided the area on the outskirts of Peshawar where he was hiding.

Six policemen were injured in the blast.

The commander, identified as Irfan, fired at police and then blew himself up with a grenade in Mattani area.

Police also arrested four suspects during the raid. Local elders said the commander was apparently planning
to target a tribal jirga.