Pakistan troops shell militants

By Haroon Rashid
BBC News, Islamabad

Pakistan's military has launched an operation against pro-Taleban militants close to the Afghan border.

Local officials said seven civilians were wounded in the fighting in Hangu district in the north-west.

The latest operation is against militants who say they are holding a number of security and civilian officials hostage.

There has been tension in the district since the arrest of several militants some weeks ago.

To press for their release, Taleban fighters loyal to commander Baitullah Mehsud abducted several government officials and paramilitary soldiers.

Heavy shelling

Officials said troops backed by tanks and heavy artillery pounded positions held by militants in the Naryab and Zargari areas of Hangu.

Military officials said some areas which had fallen under Taleban control were retaken.

The authorities also imposed a curfew in the district.

The operation was launched after the local administration issued pamphlets asking the civilian population to leave.

Witnesses said some shells and mortars fell on houses and shops, wounding seven civilians including a woman.

A militant spokesman, Maulvi Haider, said insurgents had retaken a paramilitary fort they had vacated a day earlier.

The militants accused the government of starting the operation without letting tribal elders mediate.

They also asked troops not to shell civilian areas.