At least 15 people including 10 Taliban militants were killed in a gunbattle with locals in a Matta district, officials said. The clash erupted when supporters of Maulana Fazlullah tried to kidnap a religious leader who has raised a Lashkar, or armed group, against Taliban militants, a military official said.
"Scores of Taliban raided Mandal Daag village in (the) Matta district of the valley to abduct Pir Samiullah," the official said, requesting anonymity.