PESHAWAR, September 10, 2008 (AFP) - At least 11 militants were killed early Wednesday when government troops pounded their hideouts in Pakistan's restive northwestern Swat valley, the military said.

The operation was launched in the Koza Banda area where rebels have stepped up their activities during the past two weeks, said military spokesman Colonel Nadeem Anwar.

'We have confirmed reports that 11 militants were killed and seven others wounded seriously in heavy artillery fire on their hideouts,' he said.

He added that Pakistan air force jets also conducted reconnaissance flights over the area to collect information about other rebel bases.

'However, fighter jets did not bomb the area,' he added.

The latest attack came two days after 10 militants were killed in clashes with troops in the Kabal district of the scenic Swat valley.

Radical pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah launched a violent campaign to enforce harsh Islamic Sharia law in the region last year. Since then, the former popular tourist destination has been rocked by fierce clashes.

Pakistan's army has intensified its campaign against Fazlullah's fighters in recent weeks, killing hundreds of them.

New President Asif Ali Zardari, who was sworn in on Tuesday, has pledged to combat the Islamic militancy that has been plaguing the country and neighbouring Afghanistan.

Zardari is the widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack at an election rally in December.