Taliban kill rival cleric, eight followers in Swat

Lahore, dec.15 (ANI): The Taliban has killed an anti-Taliban cleric, Pir Samiullah, and his eight followers, the Daily Times quoted a private TV channel as reporting on Sunday.

Soon after the killings, the Taliban took over the Mandal Daag area in Swat from the followers of the cleric.

According to the channel, Samiullah and his followers were killed and several others injured in the Taliban attack that began late on Saturday.

The Taliban also torched the houses of Samiullah and 15 elders of his group, and kidnapped 25 of his followers.

The Taliban later launched a search operation and seized 50 rifles, a rocket launcher and others weapons from the dead cleric's followers.

Meanwhile, another TV channel said police have arrested Taliban commander Khalid Raheem near Hangu while he was returning from Peshawar.

Raheem is wanted by the police in several cases and is also said to be involved in the recent attacks on police stations and Frontier Constabulary checkposts, the channel said. (ANI)