Pakistan's army says it killed at least 130 rebel cleric supporters in northern valley

Pakistan's army pounded pro-Taliban militants in a northern valley Tuesday and has killed at least 130 fighters there in recent days, the government said.

Troops used helicopters and artillery against supporters of rebel cleric Maulana Fazlullah in Swat, a former tourist destination about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the capital, Islamabad.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad said the army killed 15 militants on Tuesday in Shangla, a district that includes a strategic mountain pass.

A week after the operations began, the Interior Ministry said 130 to 140 rebels had died. It was unclear if that includes Tuesday's casualties.

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