Press TV (Iran) : Swat Valley braces for army assault

Swat Valley braces for army assault

RK/HAR | November 18, 2007

Pakistan's army is to launch a major operation in the Swat Valley in order to clean out militants who have entered through the Afghan border.

Pakistan's army has mobilized 15,000 troops to launch a major offensive against pro-Taliban militants in the northwestern area where 20 rebels were killed by security forces on Saturday.

Tanks and armored vehicles have been moved into the valley located in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province in preparation for the major assault.

The province itself is under nominal central government control, is run primarily by Pashtun tribal clans many of whom are sympathetic to the Taliban and the region is well known for drug smuggling activities and trading in arms.

The Swat Valley is situated just 160 km from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad and was once a tourist destination.