Pakistan troops 'kill 23 Taleban'

At least 23 Taleban militants have been killed in the Swat valley in north-west Pakistan, an army spokesman said.

Major Murad Khan said the army used helicopter gunships and artillery fire to kill 22 militants in two separate operations in the Kuza Bandai area.

He said another was killed in the nearby Bara Bandai area.

Pakistani have been fighting a rising tide of militancy in Swat since last year. Last weekend, Pakistani they said they had killed 35 rebels in the area.

Eight of the militants were killed in Kuza Bandai area when their vehicle was hit by a helicopter gunship, Major Murad Khan said.

Another 14 were in their hideouts when they were killed, he said.

In the nearby Bara Bandai area, one militant was killed when troops fired at another vehicle carrying militants, he said.

Renewed fighting

Swat valley has seen growing violence since late last year.

Renewed fighting broke out a few weeks ago when peace talks between the militants and the government of North West Frontier Province broke down.

In recent weeks, militants have increasingly targeted members of the Awami National Party (ANP) which rules the region.

The party won most parliamentary seats from Swat district in February elections.