Twenty-eight people, including a leader of the ruling PPP, a woman councillor and 25 militants, were killed in separate incidents of violence in Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province and nearby tribal belt.

At least 25 pro-Taliban militants were killed and 40 more arrested during a military operation at Michni on the outskirts of the NWFP capital Peshawar and the nearby Charsadda district.

Security forces flushed out militants from 21 villages and took control of the area near Michni. Briefing reporters who visited the area, Inspector General of Police Malik Naveed Khan said the writ of the government would soon be re-established in four more villages occupied by militants.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition, suicide vests, anti-tank mines, mortars, rocket launchers, explosives and jehadi literature were seized from the militants.

In the restive Swat valley of the NWFP, unidentified gunmen shot dead Pakistan People's Party leader Siraj-ul-Haq and woman councillor Bakht Zaiba in separate acts of violence.

Haq was gunned down in Kabal sub-district while he was going to a mosque from his residence. Zaiba was killed by gunmen in Mingora, the main city in Swat district.

Security forces targeted militant hideouts in Kabal and Matta sub-districts with artillery. There were no reports on the casualties.

In Hangu district of the NWFP, a paramilitary Levies personnel was killed when militants fired a rocket at a security check post.

Security forces also targeted militant hideouts in Mamoond and Charmang areas in the troubled Bajaur tribal region, where over 1,500 rebels have been killed since the army launched an operation in mid-August. Several hideouts were destroyed in the shelling though no casualties were reported.