Islamabad: Pakistani troops captured a key Taliban stronghold in Swat valley and moved to wrest its main town Mingora, where the militants on Monday appealed to civilians to return and promised to hold fire but stopped short of calling it a truce.
Amid intense fighting, nearly 24 lakh people have fled their homes, the UN and government officials said.
The military said the security forces have secured Maalam Jabba, located on the main line of communication and connecting Swat Valley with Mansehra in Hazara area.
Once popular with tourists for its pristine ski slopes, it was being used as a training centre and logistics base by terrorists, a military statement said.
“After stiff resistance, security forces have secured Maalam Jabba, the stronghold of militant-terrorists in Swat,” it added.
Officials said six Taliban were killed, eight arrested and six security personnel were injured in the last 24 hours in different parts of the restive region.
The forces have also started an operation to secure Kabbal, the main stronghold of Taliban, where fleeing militants from Mingora are gathering, the military said.
The security forces are facing “stiff resistance” as they moved to secure the militant strongholds, according to the statement. Troops had to clear improvised explosive devices while advancing, it added.
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