Militants capture town near Swat

Militants owing allegiance to pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah have taken over a key town in northwestern Pakistan despite a renewed offensive launched against them by the army two days ago. After over-running most towns and villages in Swat district over the past few weeks, the militants have captured the district headquarters of Shangla in Malakand Division, from where hundreds of Chinese engineers and workers were evacuated by the federal government last week.

The militants have taken over Alpuri, the headquarters of Shangla district and home to Political Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, the Dawn newspaper reported on Wednesday. The militants already control almost 80 per cent of the territory of nearby Swat district.