Military Offensive Kills 47 Taliban Ranks: Pak Army

Nearly 47 militants have been killed in the last 24 hours, as Pakistan military troops pushed forth with a concerted ground and air offensive against Taliban elements in three northwestern districts, say reports citing military officials in Islamabad.

The unconfirmed death toll, adds up to more than 980 dead militants, no information was available on civilian casualties since the military offensive commenced last month.

Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told a news conference that “47 terrorists have been killed in the last 24 hours,” the claim, however, remained unconfirmed.

With both sides sticking to their guns, the civilian population in the embattled northwest is the worst hit and has fled the battle zone in droves.

While correspondents express fears of the violence resulting in civilian deaths and injuries, the military showed footage of militant hideouts and ammunition dumps destroyed by security forces during raids in Swat.

He said forces were getting closer to Mingora, the main town in the district of Swat, to regain control f the Taliban infested area.

(internet inputs)