17 militants killed in operation in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Up to 17 militants have been killed in the ongoing military operation in northwestern Pakistan, a military spokesman said on Saturday.

The militants were killed in security forces' operation in Khawazakhela in Swat valley and one security man lost his life, Director General of Inter Services Public Relations Athar Abbas said at a press conference in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

As many as 1,305 militants have been killed in the ongoing military operation and 105 soldiers of the security forces lost their lives, Athar Abbas said.

The army will stay in the conflict zones till the civil administration takes charge, he said.

Responding to a question, Athar Abbas said that chief of the outlawed Tahreek-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) Sufi Muhammad had neither been arrested nor under the custody of security forces.

He clarified that Ameer Izzat Khan, spokesman of TNSM, had been killed when militants ambushed vehicles carrying prisoners.

Local press on Thursday quoted TNSM as saying that Sufi Muhammad and his close aides had been apprehended.

Athar Abbas said no decision had been made on whether the security forces would conduct an operation in South Waziristan tribal agency. If the government decides there is a need and the security forces will go there, he said.

Foreign militants including Afghan, Arabian and Uzbek nationals were fighting along with Taliban, he said.

Athar Abbas pointed out that the security forces were targeted by militants when they were traveling in the conflict areas. It was a huge area and the security forces do not have enough equipment to ensure complete security, he said.

Replying to a question, Athar Abbas said it would take about one year for the situation in the conflict areas to return to normalcy.

Security forces launched the military operation against Taliban militants late April after militants in early April entered the Buner district from the neighboring Swat district and refused to vacate the area despite their pledge to do so.