Islamabad:
Pakistani troops have entered a key Taliban stronghold in the troubled Swat valley after asking people to leave the area, as the government claimed that over 1,000 militants have been killed so far in the offensive in the country's unruly northwest.
A new phase in the operations against the Taliban began as troops entered Matta, a key base of the militants in Swat district, after announcements on FM radio stations and loudspeakers asked local residents to leave the area by noon.
A large number of people left Matta following the warning.
Interior Minister Malik, who visited Mardan to take stock of the situation at relief camps in the area, told reporters that over 1,000 militants had been killed so far in the drive against Taliban in Buner, Dir and Swat districts.
Security forces backed by attack helicopters entered Matta from three directions and inflicted "heavy casualties" among the militants, TV news channels quoted officials as saying. They said they hoped to take control of the town by Monday.
There was, however, no official word on the operations in the area.
Heavy artillery, gunship helicopters and jets continued to pound militant positions across Swat and troops also pushed their offensive against the rebels in Peochar, a remote mountainous area where local Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah is believed to be hiding.