new Delhi: Pakistani military released a video on Wednesday showing the ongoing operations against the Taliban in the country's northwest.
The video shows helicopters dropping Pakistani commandos into a Taliban stronghold in Swat Valley. The commandos are also seen taking their positions for operation.
The army said on Tuesday that commandos were airlifted into the Valley the day before had established a firm hold in the Piochar area. The video has Pakistani soldiers yelling out "God is great" while on board a helicopter.
The Pakistani army has claimed to have killed 751 militants in Swat and neighbouring districts so far.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who is in London said the people of Swat want democracy and not the Taliban rule.
"The people of Swat want our kind of democracy, not their kind of democracy. So this agreement was in fact done to give it more political ownership. We have a three 'D' policy which says dialogue, deterrence, development. We went in to a dialogue phase, they could not come up to the expectations of the local population, and therefore now it's more acceptable to be able to do the military offensive," said Asif Ali Zardari.
UK's Prime Minister Gordon Brown also backed the Pakistani offensive against Taliban.
"Let there be no mistake. Pakistan is already taking action against terrorism. President Zadari's troops are risking their lives, courageously fighting extremists as we speak, a vital task which of course as had a impact on human beings and locals communities, many of who have been displaced as a result. The United Kingdom will be providing 12 million pounds from today of immediate humanitarian aid. We will help provide shelter, water food and sanitation to those people who have been displaced," said Brown.
Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians have reportedly fled the main Swat city of Mingora to escape the fighting between Pakistani army and Taliban.
Mingora virtually shut down after armed militants were believed to be freely roaming the streets of the city.
While the Pakistani army claims to have eliminated close to 700 militants, in the process, the UN says more than 6 lakh people have been displaced.
Fear is spreading to Karachi and Peshawar where religious minorities allege violent assaults by the Taliban who are reportedly spreading their wings outside North West Frontier Province.
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