Pakistani security forces have launched a raid against Taliban insurgents in Lower Dir District which is in vicinity of the volatile Swat region.

According to a statement released by the Pakistani army, a number of militants including a commander were killed in the offensive, which also took the life of a paramilitary trooper.

Taliban spokesman Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, meanwhile, announced that the fighters were 'resisting the army operation.'

"The Taliban know the people who raise their voices for the operation. We know them, they are on our hit list and we will target them," Dadullah said.

Skirmishes in Lower Dir came as Washington made clear last week that it would attack Taliban forces in their Swat valley stronghold unless the Pakistan government stopped the militants' advance towards Islamabad.

Pakistan accordingly deployed paramilitary troops to northwestern districts infiltrated by Taliban militants to rein in the extremists.

In another development, hundreds of people marched along streets in Buner amid growing skepticism over a peace pact with the Taliban in the neighboring Swat Valley.

The deal, struck in February, encompasses the Malakand Division which includes Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Buner, Shangla, Chitral and Malakand areas. Kohistan, which is not in Malakand division, is also covered under the deal.

It envisages autonomy for the militants giving them the authority to have their own governing body, judiciary system and tax collection.

MP/MMN