This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8081241.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Swat fight 'may take two months' Swat fight 'may take two months'
(about 3 hours later)
The offensive to eject the Taliban from the Swat valley of Pakistan could take another two months to complete, a senior army officer has said.The offensive to eject the Taliban from the Swat valley of Pakistan could take another two months to complete, a senior army officer has said.
Chief army spokesman Gen Athar Abbas said that troops needed time to stop militants from retaking control.Chief army spokesman Gen Athar Abbas said that troops needed time to stop militants from retaking control.
The armed forces say that they have secured control over several key towns during the month-old campaign.The armed forces say that they have secured control over several key towns during the month-old campaign.
Pakistan launched the assault to "eliminate" militants in the north-west in late April under heavy US pressure.Pakistan launched the assault to "eliminate" militants in the north-west in late April under heavy US pressure.
It did so as concern mounted nationally and internationally over the advance of the Taliban to within 100km (60 miles) of Islamabad.It did so as concern mounted nationally and internationally over the advance of the Taliban to within 100km (60 miles) of Islamabad.
See a map of the region See a map of the region
"The big cities and big towns will stand clear within three days time," Gen Abbas told the AFP news agency on a visit to Mingora, the main city in Swat."The big cities and big towns will stand clear within three days time," Gen Abbas told the AFP news agency on a visit to Mingora, the main city in Swat.
He said that although the Taliban was an elusive enemy that refrained from fighting pitched battles during the six-week offensive in the north-west, it "may be another two months when we can say the complete area is fully secured".He said that although the Taliban was an elusive enemy that refrained from fighting pitched battles during the six-week offensive in the north-west, it "may be another two months when we can say the complete area is fully secured".
Even this was a rough estimate, he said.Even this was a rough estimate, he said.
The army said that troops may have to stay for a year to prevent militants from retaking control in the area.The army said that troops may have to stay for a year to prevent militants from retaking control in the area.
Officials say that 40 kidnapped students remain unaccounted for
The army's predictions are more cautious than those given a few days ago by the Pakistani defence secretary, who said he expected final Taliban resistance in Swat to be mopped up within days.The army's predictions are more cautious than those given a few days ago by the Pakistani defence secretary, who said he expected final Taliban resistance in Swat to be mopped up within days.
The army says it has secured control of several key towns during the offensive. The fighting has triggered a series of suspected reprisal attacks elsewhere.The army says it has secured control of several key towns during the offensive. The fighting has triggered a series of suspected reprisal attacks elsewhere.
Some 2.5 million people have fled their homes since military operations began in Swat more than a month ago.Some 2.5 million people have fled their homes since military operations began in Swat more than a month ago.
Another general, Ijaz Awan, a senior commander in the eight-day battle for Mingora, said the military was gearing up for a fight in nearby town of Kabal where top Taliban leaders are suspected of being holed up.Another general, Ijaz Awan, a senior commander in the eight-day battle for Mingora, said the military was gearing up for a fight in nearby town of Kabal where top Taliban leaders are suspected of being holed up.
"We have bottled them up very well, hopefully this will be a decisive battle," he said. "Their deaths are vital to killing their myth.""We have bottled them up very well, hopefully this will be a decisive battle," he said. "Their deaths are vital to killing their myth."
Abducted
Meanwhile police on Wednesday said that about 40 students out of dozens who were kidnapped in the north-west earlier this week remain unaccounted for.
They said that two teachers were still being held captive in an unknown place after being abducted in an area close to the North Waziristan tribal area.
Officials say that some of those still being held captive had been allowed to call their parents, although no ransom or other demands were made. The captors did not identify themselves.
On Tuesday a spokesman for the Razmak Cadet College said that all of the abducted students were accounted for, except for 20 who had escaped from the militants earlier and could still have been making their way to the town of Bannu.
Officials say it is probable they are now among the students still being held.
Click here to returnClick here to return