This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7070640.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan militants firm on Sharia | Pakistan militants firm on Sharia |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pro-Taleban militants in Pakistan's troubled northern district of Swat have told the BBC they will continue fighting until Islamic law is enforced. | Pro-Taleban militants in Pakistan's troubled northern district of Swat have told the BBC they will continue fighting until Islamic law is enforced. |
| Located near the country's restive tribal area along the Afghan border, Swat has been the scene of recent clashes with the security forces. | Located near the country's restive tribal area along the Afghan border, Swat has been the scene of recent clashes with the security forces. |
| The army last week sent reinforcements to the area. | The army last week sent reinforcements to the area. |
| The authorities say there are fears that the Swat valley is becoming a haven for al-Qaeda and the Taleban. | The authorities say there are fears that the Swat valley is becoming a haven for al-Qaeda and the Taleban. |
| Clashes | Clashes |
| An uneasy calm prevails over Mingora, the main town in the Swat valley. | An uneasy calm prevails over Mingora, the main town in the Swat valley. |
| Ringed by mountains, the scenic tourist destination is bustling with traffic and activity. | Ringed by mountains, the scenic tourist destination is bustling with traffic and activity. |
| Support for Maulana Fazlullah is strong | Support for Maulana Fazlullah is strong |
| But there is also fear, and intermittent clashes still take place in areas across the valley. | But there is also fear, and intermittent clashes still take place in areas across the valley. |
| A police station was attacked with rockets on Tuesday night, while helicopter gun ships carried out retaliatory strikes on Wednesday morning. | A police station was attacked with rockets on Tuesday night, while helicopter gun ships carried out retaliatory strikes on Wednesday morning. |
| The army says at least 18 militants died in the strikes, but there is no way of independently confirming the claim. | |
| In Mingora's main market there is popular support for demands made by militants that Islamic - or Sharia - law should be enforced. | In Mingora's main market there is popular support for demands made by militants that Islamic - or Sharia - law should be enforced. |
| But, most of all, local people expressed the desire that both sides resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue. | But, most of all, local people expressed the desire that both sides resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue. |
| Heavily-armed militants | Heavily-armed militants |
| Dozens have been killed in clashes and suicide attacks in recent days, including militants, members of the security forces and civilians. | Dozens have been killed in clashes and suicide attacks in recent days, including militants, members of the security forces and civilians. |
| Police in Mingora stay behind barricades | Police in Mingora stay behind barricades |
| Last week the government launched an operation in the area against a powerful local pro-Taleban cleric, Maulana Fazlullah, who uses an FM radio station to broadcast calls for jihad, or holy war. | Last week the government launched an operation in the area against a powerful local pro-Taleban cleric, Maulana Fazlullah, who uses an FM radio station to broadcast calls for jihad, or holy war. |
| Observers say that the militants still control much of the valley, but local police officials deny this and say that any who still remain will be caught. | Observers say that the militants still control much of the valley, but local police officials deny this and say that any who still remain will be caught. |
| But the claims of the authorities do not match the evidence on the ground. | But the claims of the authorities do not match the evidence on the ground. |
| A militant check post was visible near the police station, with several heavily armed militants manning it. | A militant check post was visible near the police station, with several heavily armed militants manning it. |
| They moved freely around the area, unlike the police who had barricaded themselves inside. | They moved freely around the area, unlike the police who had barricaded themselves inside. |