Pakistan army 'destoys suicide bomber training camp'

Pakistan's army said helicopter gunships destroyed a suicide bomber training camp and killed six Taliban militants near the northern town of Charbagh in the troubled Swat Valley.

The army said in a statement today that several more militants were also wounded overnight as the helicopter gunships pounded the camp, located on a small island in the Swat River opposite Charbagh.

The statement said the operation was carried out following reports by intelligence agents and local residents about the presence of suicide attack masterminds on the island.

The bombers trained in the camp were to be used in the cities of Swat, it said.

Security forces have been winding down a nearly three-month offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat Valley and surrounding areas.