MINGORA As many as 30 suspected militants were killed in clashes with Pakistani troops in the troubled northwestern Swat valley on Wednesday, the army said.

Up to 30 militants are confirmed dead and some 35 wounded in a ground and air offensive by the army troops, spokesman Major Nasir Ali told AFP.

Ali said the operation targeted the central headquarters of radical pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah, also known as Mullah Radio, whose followers have been engaged in bloody clashes with troops since late last year.

We have evicted the militants after clashes from Koza Banda district in Swat, Ali said, adding that among those killed was one of Fazlullahs top commanders.

Pakistans army has intensified its campaign in the scenic valley, once a tourist hotspot, in recent weeks against Fazlullahs fighters, killing hundreds of them. (Agencies)