Pak commandos airdropped in Swat; half a million displaced

Islamabad, May 12: Pakistani commandos were today dropped by helicopters into a key militant stronghold in remote parts of the unruly Swat valley as the army stepped up efforts to eliminate the top Taliban leadership after killing 751 terrorists in the offensive in the northwest.

This was the first time troops were airdropped to outflank the Taliban who have fortified houses and buildings, making it difficult for the army to launch a frontal assault on Mingora, the main town of Swat, and other built-up areas.

Troops were dropped behind Taliban defence lines at Peochar in Swat by helicopters for "search and destroy" operations, chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said.

Peochar is considered the main base of the Taliban in Swat and the local militant commander, Maulana Fazalullah, is believed to be hiding there.

Abbas told a news briefing that security forces are focussing on the Taliban leadership, hardcore militants and "high-value targets" in the current phase of the operation in Swat. Airpower is being selectively used against militant hideouts in remote areas to cause maximum damage among the Taliban and to avoid collateral damage, he said.

Over half a million people have fled the region in the last 10 days, the UN refugee agency said today and appealed to the international community to support the displaced people.

Troops had killed 751 militants in the offensive in Dir, Buner and Swat since last month, Abbas said. PTI