. Military Space News .
Pakistan says 10 militants killed in northwest

Pakistan appeals to US public for aid
Pakistan on Friday appealed to the US public to make small donations through their cellphones to help care for some 1.7 million people displaced in a major campaign against Islamic extremists. Ambassador Hussain Haqqani called on Americans to donate five dollars each by sending text messages and voiced hope that television networks would encourage the effort. The funds are to provide food, clothing, medicine and other relief goods channeled through the United Nations, which earlier Friday called on the world to contribute a total of 543 million dollars. "Every American can contribute this small amount and help the displaced people," said Nadeem Kiani, press attache at the embassy. UN chief Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to take part. "The Secretary-General urges the international community to show their solidarity with the people of Pakistan by supporting the Humanitarian Response Plan launched today in Islamabad, and the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan presented yesterday by the Government of Pakistan," his spokesperson said in New York. Ban "is concerned that Pakistan is currently witnessing rapid displacement on a massive scale ... (and) stresses the urgency of raising the 544 million dollars requested in the appeal to address the critical needs of the affected population and assist in the normalization of their lives," she added. Pakistan says more than 1,050 militants and 58 soldiers have been killed in the offensive, which followed US criticism accusing Islamabad of a weak response to Islamic extremists. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday announced 110 million dollars in emergency aid to Pakistan and said that she and State Department employees had already made the text-message donations. US cellular users can make five-dollar donations by texting "Swat" to the number 20222.
by Staff Writers
Islamabad (AFP) May 24, 2009
Pakistan said Sunday its forces had killed 10 militants in the last 24 hours in the northwest Swat valley, where ground troops are battling to wrest the main town out of Taliban hands.

"In (the) last 24 hours, 10 militants were killed in various areas of Swat during exchanges of fire between miscreants and security forces, while 14 have been arrested," a military statement said.

"Three security forces personnel embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and six were injured," it added.

Security forces began pounding insurgent positions in three districts in the northwest late last month, after Taliban fighters advanced to within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the capital Islamabad.

The military said that its troops had Sunday made advances across the main town in the Swat valley, Mingora -- which has been under Taliban control for weeks -- and five insurgents were killed in the urban street battles.

In Swat's former Taliban bastion of Peochar, a "huge cache" of arms and a bomb-making facility were discovered in militant hideouts, it added.

The military says more than 1,100 militants and 66 soldiers have died in the onslaught launched in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8, but those tolls cannot be confirmed independently.

There has not been any official word on civilian casualties.

earlier related report
Pakistan military kills 17 militants in northwest: statement
Pakistan said Friday its forces killed 17 militants during fighting in northwest Swat valley, where fighter jets and ground troops have embarked on a major offensive against Taliban rebels.

Three soldiers were also killed and 10 injured in various areas of Swat valley, Pakistan military said in a statement.

The military said that its troops had made advances and expanded its control of various areas including Peochar, a Taliban bastion in northern Swat.

The military says more than 1,060 militants and more than 63 soldiers have been killed since forces launched an offensive against advancing Taliban militants in northwest Pakistan late last month.

Death tolls are impossible to confirm independently with the combat area a closed military zone, sealed off to journalists and aid workers.

Neither has there been any official word on civilian casualties.

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