At least 1,100 militants have been killed in the military operation in northwestern Pakistan so far, private DAWN NEWS TV channel reported on Thursday.

Another 18 militants including local commanders have been arrested in the operation in Buner, Swat and Lower Dir districts of North West Frontier Province, the DAWN NEWS quoted official sources as saying.

The provincial government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) inked a deal with an outlawed group led by cleric Sufi Muhammad, founding chief of an outlawed group Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi in February. The government agreed to enforce Sharia, or Islamic law, in Malakand Division of NWFP, including the restive Swat valley once the peace was restored there.

However, Taliban militants in early April entered Buner District from the neighboring Swat district and were reluctant to vacate the area despite their pledge to do so. The security forces then started a military operation against them in Buner, followed by operations in Swat and other areas in the northwest.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2009)