103 people, including 58 militants and 12 security troops, have been killed in the ongoing military operation in northwestern Pakistan's Swat valley, local media reported on Saturday.

The casualties also include about 30 civilians, Daily Times newspaper said.

The Pakistan security forces launched the major offensive in Swat valley on Tuesday after local Taliban kidnapped 25 police and paramilitary soldiers from a police station.

On Friday, Pakistan sent more troops to fight against the local Taliban in Swat valley of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), which used to be a scenic spot famous for ancient Buddhist culture,but has become a stronghold for local Taliban since last year.

Three civilians and five militants were killed in shelling in the Swat Valley when pounding the Taliban hideouts.

The NWFP government on Friday decided that the security forces would continue their operation in Swat valley till peace was restored in the area.

The military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told state-run television that the repeated peace pact violations had forced them to take action.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2008)