From The Wall Street Journal and the AP:
ISLAMABAD – Armed residents confronted a group of Taliban fighters and foiled their attempt to sneak into a town in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, the focus of a major military offensive against the insurgency, an official said Thursday.
The attempted infiltration in Kalam indicated militants are feeling pinched by the army and are seeking new shelter, while the rare local resistance Wednesday suggested growing public confidence in an anti-Taliban operation supported by the United States.
Deputy Mayor Shamshad Haqqai told The Associated Press about 50 Taliban fighters tried to enter Kalam, but that armed residents quickly gathered to fight them off. They captured eight militants amid a shootout and were expecting another attack, Mr. Haqqai said. [Read More]
