Six militants among 26 dead in Swat battle

Six pro-Taliban militants among 26 dead in Swat as battle rages between local residents and militants when militants tried to hostage a local pir, police said.

The clash was a rare show of defiance by residents of Swat where pro- Taliban fighters have been extending their influence from strongholds on the Afghan border.

The fighting broke out on late Friday between militants and residents of Matta district in the Swat Valley, about 140 km (85 miles) northwest of the capital, Islamabad.

“Villagers stood up against them and killed six militants when they tried to take Pir Samiullah hostage. Their defiance angered the militants who attacked and killed 20 people,” said police officer Fazl-e-Subhan.

It was not clear why the militants wanted to detain Pir Samiullah.

The fighting continued on Saturday with residents taking positions on mountains to battle the militants, police said.

Villagers criticised government forces for not helping them.

“We sought their help but all they did was fire some artillery which wasn’t enough and that’s why we suffered so many casualties,” resident Sallahuddin Khan told Reuters.

A military spokesman in Swat was not available for comment.