Report: 40 militants killed in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Pakistani army Wednesday said its forces killed 40 militants and captured their mountainous hub in the violence-hit Swat valley, Xinhua reported.

The army said the forces in their latest offensive cleared the militants' pocket of resistance from the valley's Shangla region in North West Frontier Province, which is close to the border with Afghanistan.

The region has been gripped by violence from pro-Taliban militants who are led by Maula Fazalullh, a fiery cleric who uses a radio station to reach his followers.

Pakistan dispatched about 2,500 paramilitary troops in October to re-establish its authority in the region.

The BBC reported thousands of people in the Swat area have fled as the fighting between the militants and security forces rage.

The United States reportedly plans to almost double its spending on training and equipping the Pakistani forces fighting in the tribal areas.

The BBC quoted Interior Ministry officials as saying 120 militants have been killed in the fighting so far. The militants claim they have killed more than 30 security force members.