Fazlullah injured, top Taliban commanders killed in Swat: Malik

Islamabad, July 14 (ANI): Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that several top commanders of the Taliban have been killed and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Fazlullah was among those injured during the military operation in Swat and Malakand Division.

"Our security forces have successfully contained the situation and targeted the extremist commanders. Most of the top commanders were killed and Fazalullah was injured," he told reporters here.

Discussing the situation in Swat, he said the enemies of Pakistan have been evicted from the area. However, he added, there were still some pockets of dissidents in the NWFP.

"The cancer of terrorism has negatively affected both our economy and the law and order situation. Islamabad police have managed to arrest 31 people, including suicide bombers, handlers and planners, and averted six suicide attacks during the last six months. These bombers are in police custody," Malik added.

Malik said the terrorists arrested by the police belonged to South Waziristan, adding some were from Buner and Rawalpindi.

Replying to questions, he said the Pakistan Army is working for Pakistan and there is strong coordination between the military establishment and the civilian government.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that the government was maintaining a close watch over the remnants of the Taliban in Swat to ensure no untoward incident occurs in the country.

All four provincial governments are doing their best to foil terrorist activities, he said. Malik said conspiracies against Pakistan would not succeed due to the bravery and valour of the nation's armed forces and law enforcement agencies. (ANI)