'55 Taliban fighters killed' by Pakistan troops

The Pakistani army said today that its troops killed as many as 55 more Taliban fighters in its offensive to retake a valley in the north west from militants.

An army statement said helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts in Mingora, the main town in the Swat Valley, and killed 15 enemy fighters.

It said an estimated a further 30 to 40 died in clashes in more than half a dozen other locations today.

The military said four soldiers were wounded.