ISLAMABAD(AFP) - Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani Wednesday ordered his troops to minimise civilian casualties even if they had to take risks while battling Taliban militants in the northwest.

He also directed "precision strikes" in the offensive that has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people from the Taliban-held Swat valley and adjoining areas since May 8, officials said.

The general "has instructed the army to ensure minimum collateral damage even at the expense of taking risks, by resorting to precision strikes," a military statement said.

Up to 15,000 security forces are taking on about 4,000 well-armed fighters in Swat in what Islamabad says is a battle to "eliminate" Islamist militants, branded by Washington as the greatest terror threat to the West.

Overall, the military says 751 militants and 29 troops have been killed in its operations in Lower Dir, Buner and Swat, although there is no independent confirmation of the figures and no word on civilian losses.

"Pakistan army is acutely aware of the nature of ongoing operations in Swat and elsewhere, and their likely fallouts," the statement said.

Kayani said helping the thousands of civilians who have fled the fighting was "as important as military operation in Swat. It has been decided to provide all-out support to government and international agencies in the management and rehabilitation of" the displaced people.

The statement added that the army had formed a special support group to coordinate and direct efforts by the government, army and other agencies for "optimal utilisation" of resources in providing relief.

It said the army had established medical camps and would donate part of its daily rations to the displaced people. "This exemplifies the army's spirit of sacrifice."

Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the punishing offensive in the Swat valley, escaping Taliban fighters who have terrorised the population in a bloody campaign to enforce sharia law and expand their control.