Pakistan troops kill 20 militants in northwest: official

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistani troops Wednesday killed more than 20 Islamist militants in the troubled northwestern Swat Valley, a military spokesman said.

A five-hour gunbattle erupted after fighters loyal to pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah attacked a checkpost in the town of Sarbanda, Major Mohammad Farooq told reporters.

The fighting came a day after rebels kidnapped 30 security officials in Swat, where a two-month-old peace deal between the militants and Pakistani authorities is under threat.

"The fighting which broke out early this morning lasted four to five hours after which the militants fled, leaving behind 20 dead," Farooq said, adding that many rebels were wounded.

There were no casualties to Pakistani troops, he said.

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