[river rat]

"The Pakistani army has driven Islamic militants from all the towns in a scenic northern valley and killed 290 of the followers of a pro-Taliban cleric....."

For me -- this is hard to believe..

I'd need to see the body count, and I doubt that even if the count is accurate that it would represent "driven Islamic militants from all the towns in a scenic northern valley".....

Unless so course it's a very small valley, and not representative of the outlaws who have controlled the area for centuries..

[maine-iac7]

the towns in a scenic northern valley"..... Unless so course it's a very small valley,

Actually, the Swat: " With high mountains, green meadows, and clear lakes, it is a place of great natural beauty, and until recently a popular destination for tourists."

Ski Resort in the Swat