Taliban take over key town

ISLAMABAD: Militants owing allegiance to pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah have taken over a key town in northwestern Pakistan despite a renewed offensive launched against them by the army two days ago.

After over-running most towns and villages in Swat district over the past few weeks, the militants have captured the district headquarters of Shangla in Malakand Division, from where hundreds of Chinese engineers and workers were evacuated last week.

The militants have taken over Alpuri, the headquarters of Shangla district and home to political affairs minister Amir Muqam, 'Dawn' newspaper reported on Wednesday. The militants already control almost 80% of the territory of nearby Swat district.

The militants took over the offices of the district police officer, district coordination officer, district courts and police lines last night, the report said. Since Monday, helicopter gunships and artillery have pounded militant positions after the army assumed a lead role in operations against the rebels under emergency regulations. More...