By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least two civilians were killed and five others were injured as a mortar shell hit a house during exchange of fire between local Taliban and security forces in Pakistan’s northwest on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
The reports quoted Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan as saying that Taliban had also kidnapped 25 policemen from a police station and demanded the release of their people to free the policemen in the Swat valley of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
The Taliban spokesman said that Taliban will continue their attacks unless the forces were withdrawn from the Swat valley.
Army officer Major Farooq confirmed that security forces and Taliban clashed in a small village in the Kabal area early Tuesday morning but he did not say the casualties.
He said troops were heading to the town of Deolai where Taliban had surrounded the police station but they came under attack on their way.
Farooq also confirmed that the abduction of the policemen and paramilitary soldiers. However, he did not say how many have been kidnapped.
He said that the forces arrested six suspected militants, including two commanders, and recovered arms from them.
Officials said that unidentified militants shot dead three members of an intelligence agency at the Matta area of Swat Monday night. Taliban later claimed responsibility for the incident.
Police said that the intelligence agents were traveling in a car when over a dozen armed men opened fire on them, killing them on the spot.