Mingora(Pakistan): Pakistan will not halt a military offensive in northwestern Swat valley until all Islamic militants are cleared from the once-popular tourist site, the region s army commander said today.

"There is no time frame for completion of the operation as there are still 400 hardcore militants hiding in Swat valley," Major General Nasser Janjua, the regional commanding officer, told reporters.

"It will take time to wind up the operation" he added.

Janjua said the army was still on the trail of Maulana Fazlullah, a radical cleric who has demanded Islamic law in the valley. The army launched a major offensive in November to drive his followers out of Swat.

"He is around Swat district but is hiding somewhere and keeps changing his location. We are behind him," Janjua said.

Fazlullah is known as "Mullah Radio" for broadcasting fiery speeches over his private FM radio station.

Janjua said the army had secured 90 per cent of the region near the Afghan border, with more than 230 militants killed and 1,035 questioned during the offensive.

He said 36 Pakistani soldiers had died during operations.

Hundreds of people have died across northwest Pakistan in recent months in clashes between pro-Taliban militants and security forces and in a wave of suicide attacks blamed on the rebels.

Source : PTI