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Militants kill Pakistan officials | Militants kill Pakistan officials |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Three Pakistani security officials have been killed by militants in the north-western district of Swat. | Three Pakistani security officials have been killed by militants in the north-western district of Swat. |
The vehicle carrying them was ambushed in the Matta area late on Monday. Witnesses says several suspects were later arrested in a search operation. | The vehicle carrying them was ambushed in the Matta area late on Monday. Witnesses says several suspects were later arrested in a search operation. |
Officials also said on Tuesday that up to 30 police and paramilitary troops have been kidnapped by militants in the Deolai area of Swat. | |
Militant spokesman Bakht Ali Khan claimed responsibility. | |
Mr Khan told the AP news agency that the government was not sticking to the peace accord. | |
"The government is not honouring the peace agreement with the Taleban and the government will be responsible for any consequences," he said. | |
"We will take revenge for any action against us." | |
The militants said the three officials were killed because they had tortured two militants in custody. | |
Correspondents say that the two incidents have delivered serious blows to a peace deal signed two months ago in Swat, where militants have become more active in recent weeks. | |
Matta is the hub of militants led by a local cleric and has been the focus of a military operation since last year. | Matta is the hub of militants led by a local cleric and has been the focus of a military operation since last year. |
Police told the BBC Urdu service that the three officials, belonging to a federal intelligence agency, had been ambushed by more than a dozen militants in the Sanj Banrh area of Matta. | |
Following the ambush, security forces put the area under curfew and started a house-to-house search and a number of arrests were made, witnesses said. | Following the ambush, security forces put the area under curfew and started a house-to-house search and a number of arrests were made, witnesses said. |
They also reported artillery fire from a paramilitary base in the area which targeted suspected militant positions. | They also reported artillery fire from a paramilitary base in the area which targeted suspected militant positions. |
Violence | Violence |
A spokesman for the local militants, Muslim Khan, told the BBC Urdu service that the security officials had been involved in arresting and torturing two militants from the area. | |
"Our colleagues were tortured so badly, they are still in the hospital and cannot eat or drink," he said. | "Our colleagues were tortured so badly, they are still in the hospital and cannot eat or drink," he said. |
Correspondents say the security situation in Swat has been deteriorating despite a peace agreement between the government and pro-Taleban cleric Maulana Fazlullah. | Correspondents say the security situation in Swat has been deteriorating despite a peace agreement between the government and pro-Taleban cleric Maulana Fazlullah. |
Last month, militants burned down much of a hotel in the country's only ski resort, located in the area. | Last month, militants burned down much of a hotel in the country's only ski resort, located in the area. |
The Taleban admit attacking soldiers and police to avenge the death of their comrades. | The Taleban admit attacking soldiers and police to avenge the death of their comrades. |
But they deny torching at least 10 local girls' schools, claiming unnamed elements were trying to sabotage the peace deal. | But they deny torching at least 10 local girls' schools, claiming unnamed elements were trying to sabotage the peace deal. |