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Top Pakistani militant 'killed' Top Pakistani militant 'killed'
(about 4 hours later)
Pakistani security forces say they have killed a top militant leader in the north-west of the country.Pakistani security forces say they have killed a top militant leader in the north-west of the country.
Abdul Wali, also known as Umer Khalid, was killed in Mohmand tribal district, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said. Militants deny the claim.Abdul Wali, also known as Umer Khalid, was killed in Mohmand tribal district, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said. Militants deny the claim.
Mohmand district near the Afghan border has been at the centre of militant activity since 2006.Mohmand district near the Afghan border has been at the centre of militant activity since 2006.
Meanwhile, five people have been killed and a girl's school and a factory damaged in the nearby region of Swat.Meanwhile, five people have been killed and a girl's school and a factory damaged in the nearby region of Swat.
The army says that seven militants - including two "high value" targets - have also been arrested near the city of Peshawar.The army says that seven militants - including two "high value" targets - have also been arrested near the city of Peshawar.
The latest violence came as Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Islamabad and said that the alliance and Pakistan should both step up efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan.The latest violence came as Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Islamabad and said that the alliance and Pakistan should both step up efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan.
'Effective leader''Effective leader'
If his death is confirmed, Mr Wali, who headed the Taleban in Mohmand, would be the most senior local militant leader to be killed in the region.If his death is confirmed, Mr Wali, who headed the Taleban in Mohmand, would be the most senior local militant leader to be killed in the region.
"The most effective leader of Taleban in Mohmand has been killed. His name is Abdul Wali," the prime minister's interior adviser, Rehman Malik, said."The most effective leader of Taleban in Mohmand has been killed. His name is Abdul Wali," the prime minister's interior adviser, Rehman Malik, said.
Earlier media reports quoting unnamed security officials said that Mr Wali's deputy had been injured in the same military operation in the area.Earlier media reports quoting unnamed security officials said that Mr Wali's deputy had been injured in the same military operation in the area.
Security officials say they have killed a large number of Taleban militants, including some important local commanders, in two days of operations in Mohmand.Security officials say they have killed a large number of Taleban militants, including some important local commanders, in two days of operations in Mohmand.
However a spokesman for the Mohmand Taleban, Ikramullah Mohmand, told the BBC Urdu service that Mr Wali was still alive and in constant touch with his followers.However a spokesman for the Mohmand Taleban, Ikramullah Mohmand, told the BBC Urdu service that Mr Wali was still alive and in constant touch with his followers.
The spokesman also rejected a claim by security forces two days ago that more than 60 militants had been killed in recent military operations in Mohmand. He said that only 14 Taleban members had died.The spokesman also rejected a claim by security forces two days ago that more than 60 militants had been killed in recent military operations in Mohmand. He said that only 14 Taleban members had died.
Our correspondent says that Mr Wali's forces are also believed to have linked up with militants in the nearby Bajaur tribal district to stage attacks against Nato troops in the adjacent Afghan province of Kunar.Our correspondent says that Mr Wali's forces are also believed to have linked up with militants in the nearby Bajaur tribal district to stage attacks against Nato troops in the adjacent Afghan province of Kunar.
'Total chaos''Total chaos'
Officials in Swat in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) say that there is no obvious motive for the murders of five people in recent days, but in the past such killings have been blamed on the Taleban who routinely kill people suspected of being spies.Officials in Swat in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) say that there is no obvious motive for the murders of five people in recent days, but in the past such killings have been blamed on the Taleban who routinely kill people suspected of being spies.
Schools have been repeatedly targeted by militants in SwatSchools have been repeatedly targeted by militants in Swat
Officials say that a girls' school in Swat's main town of Mingora was only slightly damaged, but a blanket factory was completely destroyed.Officials say that a girls' school in Swat's main town of Mingora was only slightly damaged, but a blanket factory was completely destroyed.
Te latest incidents follow a decision by the government to re-open talks with militants in Swat, where militants are now openly attacking civilians. The latest incidents follow a decision by the government to re-open talks with militants in Swat, where militants are now openly attacking civilians.
Meanwhile, Mr de Hoop Scheffer told journalists in Islamabad that Pakistan was vital to Western efforts to defeat the intensifying insurgency in Afghanistan.Meanwhile, Mr de Hoop Scheffer told journalists in Islamabad that Pakistan was vital to Western efforts to defeat the intensifying insurgency in Afghanistan.
He said that both the US and Nato relied on Pakistan to stop the Taleban from infiltrating into Afghanistan and to defend their supply lines.He said that both the US and Nato relied on Pakistan to stop the Taleban from infiltrating into Afghanistan and to defend their supply lines.
"We can all do more and we can all do better, Nato very much included," he said during a news conference in Islamabad."We can all do more and we can all do better, Nato very much included," he said during a news conference in Islamabad.
Mr de Hoop Scheffer's visit follows the visit of US Central Command chief Gen David Petraeus earlier this week.Mr de Hoop Scheffer's visit follows the visit of US Central Command chief Gen David Petraeus earlier this week.
He said a new supply path to Afghanistan had been agreed with Central Asian states and Russia as an option to the troubled Pakistan route. The route through the Khyber Pass has been closed several times in recent months after militants attacks.He said a new supply path to Afghanistan had been agreed with Central Asian states and Russia as an option to the troubled Pakistan route. The route through the Khyber Pass has been closed several times in recent months after militants attacks.