At least 17 militants and a soldier were killed in exchanges of fire in Swat on Tuesday, where the military is waging a bloody offensive against al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked militants, the army said. The fighting in the scenic Swat valley erupted a day after a suicide bomber killed at least three troops when he rammed an explosives-packed vehicle into an army check point in the area.
"Security forces pounded artillery on hideouts of rebels in the Kabal area of Swat, which triggered an exchange of fire, killing seven militants," an army said in a statement. Troops also killed eight militants following an abortive attempt by them to ambush a convoy of security forces in Khwazakhela area, the statement added.
Separately, one soldier was killed in another gun fight in the region when a patrol of security forces came under attack by militants linked to Taliban and al-Qaeda in Kanju area. "Twenty seven suspected militants were also arrested during a search operation in Kanju area," the statement said. It added that two more militants were killed and five others wounded during clashes with security forces in Mian Keley village bordering Mohmand tribal region.