At least 55 militants killed in Swat, army sources say

Pakistani forces killed at least 55 militants in operations targeting the Taliban in parts of the Swat valley, military sources said. Meanwhile the UN refugee agency warns that up to one million people have been displaced in northwest Pakistan.Pakistan's military said Saturday a full-scale offensive in the northwest has put militants on the back foot following a pledge from President Asif Ali Zardari to eliminate the Taliban.Warplanes pounded rebel hideouts in the Swat valley, an ex-ski resort where up to 15,000 security forces have been deployed under orders to crush extremists in an escalating conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands.Together, helicopter gunships and ground forces killed a total of at least 55 militants in various locations in the valley, including 15 in the town of Mingora, the military said."They are on the run," the army said in an earlier statement.But the statement added that Taliban fighters were "trying to block the exodus of innocent civilians by preventing their departure through coercion, IEDs (improvised explosive devices), roadblocks with trees and even (making them) hostages".Jet fighters and helicopter gunships heavily bombarded militant positions and hideouts in Venai Baba, Namal, Qambar, Peochar, Fiza Ghat, Tiligram and Chamtalai, a senior military official said."Large number of militants were killed including hardcore elements and many militants injured. The operation is in full swing," the official said.Meanwhile a suspected US drone fired missiles at a compound used by militants in South Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan, killing six militants and injuring 10 others, officials said.The military said Friday an air and ground offensive to crush the Taliban in the northwest killed more than 140 militants.It was impossible to confirm the death tolls independently, given ongoing operations across three districts which began late last month when the hardline insurgents advanced to within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of Islamabad.Meanwhile, fresh troops were entering the Malakand district which neighbours Swat valley, a local military official told AFP.People fleeing the area, however, have accused the military of also killing civilians in the fierce bombardment.Aftaba Begum, 60, told AFP in Jalala refugee camp near the town of Mardan that she had fractured her leg as shells from helicopter gunships hit Mingora three days ago.