Islamabad:  Pakistani troops today arrested 25 militants, including the brother of a pro-Taliban cleric and a suspected suicide bomber, as they consolidated their hold on the northwestern Swat valley, where at least eight civilians were killed in the latest clashes.

Local residents and police said eight civilians were killed and a dozen others injured when security forces shelled militant positions near Allahabad town in Swat late last night. A boy and his mother were among the dead. The deaths sparked protests by the locals. Officials said 25 militants were arrested at various check posts set up by the security forces around Mingora, the main town in Swat district. Among them was one wearing a "suicide belt", Dawn News channel reported.
 
Fazal-ul-Haq, the brother of radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah, was apprehended at a check post near Ghaligai with the support of the local people. A nephew of Sirajuddin, Fazlullah's spokesman, was also arrested, the army said.

After sustained attacks on militant positions with artillery and gunship helicopters that left over 230 rebels dead, the army moved into most towns and villages in Swat and adjoining Shangla district that had been over-run by Fazlullah s men.

Over the past two days, the troops have taken control of Alpuri, the headquarters of Shangla, and re-established the writ of the government. The security forces have also secured Shangla Top, a strategic height, and Shangla Pass, and are in "complete control of the area", the army said.

Source : PTI