(KUNA) -- Pakistani security forces have arrested 17 Taliban-linked militants, including close associates of wanted radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah as the part of ongoing operation against militants in northern Sawat valley. Forces arrested 17 militants on Sunday from different parts of Sawat valley, said military spokesman Waheed Arshad. He said all arrested militants were close allies of Maulana Fazlullah, also known as "Mullah Radio." Police sources said the arrestees includes brother and uncle of Fazlullah, as well as five foreigners of Afghan and Uzbek origins.The spokesman said that since the military took command of the operation in Sawat, more than 330 militants had been killed and near 200 arrested. Maulana Fazlullah, known as "Mullah Radio" for broadcasting fiery speeches over his illegal private FM radio station, has called for a holy war against the Pakistani government and security forces.
President Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in the country on November 3 because of judiciary interference into executive affairs and also deteriorating security situation in Sawat. The president, while lifting the state of emergency, said that the valley had been cleared of militants and all objectives of emergency had been achieved.