Islamabad, Nov 27: The caretaker Interior Minister of Pakistan, Hamid Nawaz Khan, has assured that the military operations in the Swat district of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) would be completed before the January 8 elections.

“We are taking action against foreign miscreants in Swat. The condition will resolve itself and the operation will be completed before general elections,” Khan told reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Passport Directorate.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that the local administration had started preparing for general elections in that picturesque valley. He further said the situation in Swat was improving and locals were cooperating with security forces.

Earlier this week, Pakistani security forces backed by helicopter gunships and artillery launched a major ground offensive against pro-Taliban militants in the Swat Valley, killing at least 35 of them.

In the ensuing operation two army soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded, according to army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad.

It was the first time army troops were involved in the ground operation in the Swat region. (ANI)