More than 1,000 militants killed in operation: Malik

Pakistani soldiers stand guard on road at Gulabad, 

in the troubled Malakand agency, on May 16, 2009

The Pakistani government urged on Sunday people stranded in Swat to flee whenever they get a chance, as security forces battled Taliban militants in one of their strongholds in the valley.More than 1,000 militants had been killed in the offensive in Swat, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik told reporters.There was no independent confirmation of the toll.The military has reported a similar toll for the militants and has said 48 soldiers have been killed.The offensive in the one-time tourist valley, 130 km northwest of Islamabad, has also forced at least 1.17 million people from their homes, the UN refugee agency said.It has urged the world to respond 'massively' to the humanitarian crisis.The Taliban hold Mingora, Swat's main town, and many civilians are believed to be still there.'I appeal to the people of Mingora and other parts which are under aggression, as soon as they get an opportunity, the curfew is relaxed, they should come out,' Malik said.Malik also said the security forces were hunting for the leaders of the Taliban in Swat.'Those leaders, those commanders, who are controlling the Taliban, obviously we're going to hit them. We're not going to spare them,' he said. 'You'll hear good news soon.'About 15,000 members of the security forces are fighting between 4,000 and 5,000 militants in Swat, the military says.