Top Taliban commander among three militants killed in Pak

Three militants, including a key pro-Taliban commander, were killed and six captured during operations in Pakistan's restive tribal belt and the northwestern Swat valley today, while an army officer was injured in a skirmish in Waziristan.

Commander "Launcher" Mulla was killed along with two militants while five rebels were injured during operations by security forces in Kurram tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

Troops targeted militants at Dopak Super Kot in the central part of Kurram Agency. The militants also blew up a bridge along Aroli road in the region, officials said. In the restive Swat valley of North West Frontier Province, troops captured six militants during search and clearance operations. Another eight militants surrendered to security forces at different places across the valley, the military said.

An army officer was injured in a gun battle with militants in Razmak sector of Waziristan, the military said. The skirmish occurred while security forces were conducting an operation to clear 75 militant-held compounds.

Taliban fighters also attacked soldiers with rockets at two places in South Waziristan over the past 24 hours though there were no reports of casualties. Troops were attacked at Spin Jammat and Ladha Fort in Shakai sector and at Lakki Ghund in Razmak sector, the military said.

Soldiers also cleared militant-held compounds at several places in South Waziristan, where troops have been conducting a major ground offensive against the Taliban since October.

Troops cleared compounds at Ziarat and Dunai Killi in Jandola sector and seized a cache of arms and ammunition. Security forces conducted "area domination" operations at different places in Razmak sector. Security forces are also conducting operations against militants in Kurram Agency, which has been rocked by violent sectarian clashes between Shias and Sunnis over the past two years. Taliban militants who infiltrated the region have been targeting Shias.

After the operation was launched by security forces, militants have sought to mingle with the local population by cutting their long hair and trimming their beards.

The security forces have focussed on separating the militants from the local residents of Kurram Agency.