At least 10 civilians died Thursday when Pakistani troops fired shells aimed at militants who are trying to impose strict Islamic law in northwestern Swat valley.
Local police say at least one home was destroyed in Allahabad village during the incident. At least nine other people were wounded.
Pakistani troops have been trying to eject fighters loyal to cleric Maulana Fazlullah, who have taken control of some police checkpoints and towns in Swat.
Closer to the border with Afghanistan, five Pakistani soldiers in a truck were killed today by a roadside bomb that went off in North Waziristan.
Earlier this week, the Pakistani army reported gains in its battle against Islamists in Swat, saying troops had recaptured a strategic mountain peak. The army also said it had shut down the FM radio station used by Fazlullah to call for strict Islamic law and a holy war against the Pakistani government.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
