Pakistan Military Swat Offensive Leaves 200 Militants Dead

The United Nations refugee agency estimated up to 200 000 people have fled Swat in recent days, but forecast a further exodus of nearly 300 000 more. Photo by BGNES

Pakistan's military is stepping up an offensive against the Taleban, they reported that 200 militants were killed over the weekend in and near the Swat valley.

Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, said about 200 militants were killed over the weekend, bringing the total killed in fighting in the region to 700, but it is impossible to independently confirm these figures, the BBC reported.

The military has been using heavy artillery to soften up the Taleban, which is currently in control of large parts of Swat valley and neighboring regions.

Fighting is continuing throughout the region, which includes Swat, Dir and Buner. The government has vowed to eliminate the militants, but this may be a long and difficult battle, analysts say.