WORLD> Middle East
Top-ranking Taliban commander killed in NW Pakistan
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-07 09:29

ISLAMABAD -- A senior local Taliban commander and eight other militants were killed during an operation of security forces in northwest Pakistan, a statement released by the army said Wednesday.

Ali Bakht, a top-ranking Taliban militant, was killed during the operation in Devloi area of Swat in North West Frontier Province, said the statement.

"Life at Swat remained peaceful, shops were open and people carried out their routine activities," the statement said, adding that many militants were injured.

Two Security Forces personnel were wounded in the operation, according to the News Network International (NNI) news agency.

The army launched a major operation against militants in Swat valley last week after the militants killed three intelligence agents and kidnapped over 20 security personnel from a check post.