Swat Taliban chief Fazlullah has fled: Pak officer

A senior Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Masood Alam, has said that there are reports that Swat Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah had fled the region fearing arrest by security agencies.

Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function in Mingora, Lt Gen Alam said the security forces have not stopped searching Fazllulah and working extensively to nab him.

"We will keep chasing him until he is arrested. We will not let him go scot free," The Daily Times quoted Lt Gen Alam, as saying.

Responding to a question, he said the troops would remain in Swat as long as they are needed, and would continue their offensive against the Taliban and other extremist organisations.

"We appeal to the public to share information on Taliban. Security forces must be informed wherever members of the group are seen," he said.

Lt Gen Alam also vowed that his forces would build all the schools destroyed by the Taliban in the region in order to provide a better future to the youth of the region.

"The Taliban has pushed back Swat 100 years by destroying schools. But the army will reconstruct these destroyed schools to help the Swat youth get education and serve the country," he said.