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Pakistan army 'retakes key town' Pakistan army 'retakes key town'
(about 1 hour later)
The Pakistan army says it has taken control of a key town in Buner district in the north-west, a day after starting an offensive against the Taleban.The Pakistan army says it has taken control of a key town in Buner district in the north-west, a day after starting an offensive against the Taleban.
Soldiers were dropped from helicopters into the town of Dagar and were linking up with ground forces.Soldiers were dropped from helicopters into the town of Dagar and were linking up with ground forces.
The area is less than 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Islamabad.The area is less than 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Islamabad.
The government is concerned the Taleban are trying to extend their control beyond the Swat Valley, an area which they largely control already.The government is concerned the Taleban are trying to extend their control beyond the Swat Valley, an area which they largely control already.
"The airborne forces have linked up to police and Frontier Constabulary in Dagar," the military spokesman said."The airborne forces have linked up to police and Frontier Constabulary in Dagar," the military spokesman said.
"A link-up with ground forces is in progress.""A link-up with ground forces is in progress."
See a map of the region See a map of the region
The army said 50 militants and one soldier were killed.
Two ammunition dumps were destroyed by security forces and 70 members of the security forces were abducted by militants, with 18 later released, the army said.
The army launched its assault in the valley, only a few hours drive from Islamabad, on Tuesday afternoon as jets bombed militant positions.The army launched its assault in the valley, only a few hours drive from Islamabad, on Tuesday afternoon as jets bombed militant positions.
There was no word on any casualties during Wednesday's operation, nor whether troops clashed with fighters. The Pakistan army said 50 militants were killed in the Dagar operation
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says that the army's assault in the valley means there is a real fear now that the violence will spread.The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says that the army's assault in the valley means there is a real fear now that the violence will spread.
But our correspondent says that so far the government's peace deal with radical clerics in the Swat Valley seems to be holding.But our correspondent says that so far the government's peace deal with radical clerics in the Swat Valley seems to be holding.
Dagar resident Saleem Dil Khan said when the army arrived "a lot of firing took place early in the morning, a curfew is imposed in the area and they are not allowing us to come out of our houses.Dagar resident Saleem Dil Khan said when the army arrived "a lot of firing took place early in the morning, a curfew is imposed in the area and they are not allowing us to come out of our houses.
"We are very much worried.""We are very much worried."
The Pakistan government says there are as many as 500 armed Taleban fighters in Buner in violation of a peace agreement.The Pakistan government says there are as many as 500 armed Taleban fighters in Buner in violation of a peace agreement.
The peace deal between the two sides this year allowed Sharia law to be adopted in large parts of Malakand division - which includes Buner, the Swat Valley and Lower Dir - in return for the Taleban laying down arms.The peace deal between the two sides this year allowed Sharia law to be adopted in large parts of Malakand division - which includes Buner, the Swat Valley and Lower Dir - in return for the Taleban laying down arms.
Fighting in Lower Dir, another mountainous region in the north-west, had ended, said chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, according to the AFP news agency.Fighting in Lower Dir, another mountainous region in the north-west, had ended, said chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, according to the AFP news agency.
Exodus slows
However the BBC's M Ilyas Khan - who is in Lower Dir - says that house-to-house searches in the town of Maidan are continuing.However the BBC's M Ilyas Khan - who is in Lower Dir - says that house-to-house searches in the town of Maidan are continuing.
Our correspondent says that the large exodus of people fleeing Lower Dir towards the town of Mardan - further south - to escape the fighting has now reduced to a trickle.Our correspondent says that the large exodus of people fleeing Lower Dir towards the town of Mardan - further south - to escape the fighting has now reduced to a trickle.
Most roads in Lower Dir are still closed to traffic, but the authorities are allowing pedestrians to use them.Most roads in Lower Dir are still closed to traffic, but the authorities are allowing pedestrians to use them.
The army said about 75 militants and 10 security personnel died in the operation. There is no independent confirmation of the figures.The army said about 75 militants and 10 security personnel died in the operation. There is no independent confirmation of the figures.
Tens of thousands of people had fled the area and many houses were damaged.Tens of thousands of people had fled the area and many houses were damaged.
The increase in army activity follows criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistan was abdicating to the Taleban.The increase in army activity follows criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistan was abdicating to the Taleban.
Last week she said the Taleban posed a "mortal threat" to the world security.Last week she said the Taleban posed a "mortal threat" to the world security.
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