Militants attack Swat valley convoy

At least five military personnel and six rebels die when Taliban militants ambush a convoy in the Swat valley.

Taliban militants ambushed a convoy of security forces in Pakistan's north western Swat valley, sparking clashes that left at least five personnel and six rebels dead, officials said today. The convoy of paramilitary and police vehicles came under attack late yesterday in the town of Kabal, a stronghold of insurgents. "The initial report from the area confirms one policeman and four FC (Frontier Constabulary) men died and some FC soldiers are missing after the ambush," a Swat police officer, Inam Khan, said.

The army later launched a counter-attack in the same area, killing five militants and a would-be suicide bomber whose vehicle was blown up when troops opened fire, a security official said.

Pakistani fighter jets bombed a militant hideout in Swat on Sunday, killing two rebel commanders and 25 other men. *AFP