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Swat clash 'kills six militants' 'Insurgents killed' in Swat clash
(about 6 hours later)
Pakistani troops have killed six militants in the Swat valley as thousands of people displaced by fighting have begun returning home. Fighting between militants and the army in Pakistan's Swat valley has killed at least nine people, as people displaced by fighting continue to stream back.
Army officials said the dead included eight militants and one soldier.
The fighting took place in Kabal on Tuesday, army sources said. Kabal has not yet been opened for returnees.The fighting took place in Kabal on Tuesday, army sources said. Kabal has not yet been opened for returnees.
An estimated 12,000 people left relief camps to return to the Swat valley on Tuesday. About 700 families were expected to return on Wednesday. An estimated 12,000 people left relief camps to return to the Swat valley on Tuesday. Hundreds more families were expected to return on Wednesday.
Pakistan's prime minister has said it was safe for people to return home. After the army said it had largely defeated Taliban militants following a two-month offensive in the troubled region, Pakistan's prime minister declared that it was safe for people to return home.
The army says it has largely defeated Taliban militants in the area after a two month offensive. People housed in relief camps are being sent back with a military escort. But many others who have been staying with relatives have also been making their own way back.
People housed in relief camps were being sent back with a military escort. Many others who have been staying with relatives have been making their own way back. Many of those returning have expressed uncertainty about the security situation in the area.
See a map of the region See a map of the region
Fragile securityFragile security
But many of those returning have expressed uncertainty about the security situation in the area. Wednesday's clashes took place when a military patrol on a search operation was attacked by militants in the Kabal sub-district.
"Six militants were killed when troops retaliated and returned fire after a rebel attack on an army checkpost in Kabal town on Tuesday night," news agency AFP quoted an unnamed military official as saying. Local residents confirm that the incident took place, although they could not say how many people had been killed.
Analysis: Dangers for refugees? Swat diary: 'Taliban defeated'Analysis: Dangers for refugees? Swat diary: 'Taliban defeated'
Military sources confirmed to the BBC that six militants were killed in a clash on Tuesday. No exact time was given for the confrontation. The attack comes at a sensitive time, as the government has started to send people displaced by the fighting back to their homes in the valley.
But local journalists were being taken to view the bodies of the insurgents. The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says that scepticism remains high about the actual situation on the ground.
Analysts say the clash underscores the fragile security situation in the Swat valley even as refugees displaced by weeks of fighting in the region begin to return home. Many believe that the militants simply melted away to avoid a serious fight with the army and that they now intend to wage a guerrilla campaign, our correspondent says.
More than 2 million residents of Swat and the surrounding areas fled as the army and the Taliban fought for the last two months. More than two million residents of Swat and the surrounding areas fled as the army and the Taliban fought for the last two months.
It was said to be one of the biggest human migrations in recent times.It was said to be one of the biggest human migrations in recent times.
After the authorities said the area was safe, families began returning home.
Officials said the repatriation started slowly on Monday but picked up pace on Tuesday.Officials said the repatriation started slowly on Monday but picked up pace on Tuesday.
SWAT OFFENSIVE Launched in April after militants took area 100km from IslamabadArmy says some 1,700 militants killed; but none of their leadersOne of biggest human migrations of recent times, with 2m displaced Voices from the camps SWAT OFFENSIVE Launched in April after militants took area 100km from IslamabadArmy says some 1,700 militants killed, but none of their leadersOne of biggest human migrations of recent times, with 2m displaced Voices from the camps
Nevertheless, the volume of people is still far short of the number expected to return in the initial wave. The UN has repeatedly stressed that returns must only be on a voluntary basis.Nevertheless, the volume of people is still far short of the number expected to return in the initial wave. The UN has repeatedly stressed that returns must only be on a voluntary basis.
Displaced people from four relief camps have now chosen to return home, officials say. Those in the camps are travelling on arranged trucks and buses escorted by soldiers and army helicopters for their journey.
Those in the camps are travelling on arranged trucks and buses. The heavy security showed that despite government claims, the Taliban remains a threat in the region, correspondents say.
They were escorted by soldiers as helicopters hovered overhead for their journey.
The heavy security showed that despite government claims, the Taliban remains a threat in the region.
The government has said it expects all displaced people to return to Swat by the end of July.The government has said it expects all displaced people to return to Swat by the end of July.
But, relief workers say, that may not be possible as people still have concerns over Swat that are yet to be resolved. But, relief workers say, that may not be possible as people still have concerns over Swat's security that are yet to be resolved.
Click here to returnClick here to return
Did you leave the Swat valley due to the earlier fighting? Are you planning to return soon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Did you leave the Swat valley due to the earlier fighting? Are you planning to return soon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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