Fierce battles rage in Swat

MINGORA - At least 25 militants were killed many others were injured on Wednesday in the continuing operation against militants in different parts of Matta and Kabal areas of Swat district. One of the top Taliban commanders, Maulvi Hussain Ali alias Toor Mullah was among the killed persons.
Meanwhile six troops were also killed in the clashes, ISPR said.
As per details, the security forces with the help of artillery and gunship helicopters targeted the suspected hideouts of the militants throughout Pewchar mountainous and scattered areas of Kabal and Matta Tehsils. According local residents, at least 10 Taliban were killed and six others injured in Pewchar mountainous regions. Maulvi Hussain Ali alias Toor Mullah was among the killed Taliban militants. Taliban leadership has confirmed the killing of Mulla Toor during the last round of the operation.  
It merits mentioning that Maulvi Hussain Ali belonged to Pewchar and was very popular with the militants throughout the region. He was serving as host of Taliban militants both inside Swat and other parts of the country. Similarly, he was also popular with Afghanistan’s Taliban and Al-Qaeda fugitives.  
The security forces also claimed repulsing of Taliban attack against a police station in Matta town. Worst kind of encounter took place when Taliban attacked the police station. As a result of the encounter, 15 Taliban were killed in Matta town. During the encounter, several rockets and mortars also landed at different places of both the tehsils.  
Moreover, Taliban, in a bid to halt supplies to the security forces, have blown up four bridges on important roads in Matta Tehsil. Likewise they uprooted dozens of trees and threw them on the roads in the area.  
Besides blowing up bridges, Taliban also destroyed several portions of Malam Jabba Tourist Resort with explosive materials. This resort was recently set on fire by the militants, which caused bad impacts on May 21, 2008 peace agreement between Taliban and NWFP Government. In the same area, Taliban also blew up a rest house of the armed forces.