Militants execute 13 in volatile NW Pakistan

By Junaid Khan

MINGORA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Militants in northwestern Pakistan executed 13 people, including six members of the security forces, in apparent retaliation for a crackdown on their stronghold, an official and residents said on Saturday.

The Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province was the scene of a fierce battle between the security forces and followers of a radical Muslim cleric on Friday after authorities sent more than 2,000 soldiers to counter growing militancy.

At least 17 paramilitary soldiers and four civilians were killed in a suspected suicide attack near the valley's main town of Mingora on Thursday.

Provincial officials said the militants on Friday killed seven civilians outside nearby Matta town, and beheaded three soldiers and three policemen they had taken hostage.

"(The civilians) were traveling in a van. The militants took them out of the van and slaughtered them," Badshah Gul Wazir, a top provincial home ministry official, told Reuters.

The corpses of the slain police and soldiers were found in the same area.

"All six of them have been found beheaded," he added.

He said two civilians were killed in the crossfire.