Pakistan Claims Key Square in Swat City

Pakistan says it has claimed a crucial part of the Swat Valley’s largest city from the Taliban, the New York Times reports. Ten Taliban fighters and six Pakistani soldiers died fighting over Mingora’s Green Square, known as “Slaughter Square” for its reputation as a beheaded-body dumping ground under the Taliban. Militants are still holed up in city neighborhoods, controlling rooftops of buildings, the Pakistani Army said.

“The troops are moving from street to street, house to house, but they have to keep the tempo slow as civilians are also present in the city,” a military analyst said, adding that fighting is limited mostly to the suburbs. Pakistani helicopters also attacked targets in the Orakzai tribal area, killing at least 18 people, including six civilians.
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