Pakistani forces take cleric's complex - LATIMES, 7 Dec.

Security forces blew up the home of a fugitive pro-Taliban cleric Thursday after capturing two militant-held towns in northern Pakistan, the army said.

Security forces faced no resistance in taking cleric Maulana Qazi Fazlullah's complex, which includes a seminary, hostels and a mosque, army officials said. The complex, near the town of Mingora, was abandoned when about 400 troops and police moved in, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships.

Maj. Gen. Nasir Janjua said Fazlullah's home was blown up but the entire complex would not be demolished.

"This has been built with the donations from our sisters and brothers," he said. "The people should decide its usage in the future."

Fazlullah has called for a holy war against the government.

Since Wednesday, troops have swept into the towns of Khawazakhela and Matta in the scenic Swat district, where Fazlullah's supporters have taken up arms in response to his calls for strict Islamic law. Some fled before the towns were overrun ...
Retaking Swat's towns is a key step. If Fazlullah can be captured or killed, this could be a big step towards reclaiming Pakistani Army control over the more settled areas of the FATA.