Key Taliban leader among 14 militants killed in Swat Valley

Mingora (NWFP), Aug 7 : Pakistan security forces gunned down prominent Taliban leader Ali Bakht and 13 other militants during clashes in the Swat valley which lasted till late last evening.

Bakht was head of the Taliban committee holding negotiations with the NWFP government and a key aide of rebel cleric Mullah Fazlullah.

Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan confirmed Bakht's killing in the Dewlay area of Kabal tehsil, reported the Daily Times.

According to the local resident, the clashed erupted when security forces razed the houses of Ali Bakht, his brother Ibrahim and two other militant commanders, upon which the militants attacked the troops. The clashed lasted for around five hours, added the locals.

Meanwhile, in another incident two Taliban were killed while planting a bomb in the Ali Gram area of Kabal in Swat. Another militant died in a clash with police following attack on a police station in Shah Dara area of Mingora. Militants also set a middle school on fire in the Ali Gram area.

ANI