Pakistan's army chief has vowed to restore government authority to the militancy-hit Swat valley.
A military statement said General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani traveled to Swat Wednesday to be briefed by local leaders, field commanders and troops.
The statement said Kayani gave new directions to the troops, who have been fighting Taliban militants for more than a year, but it did not elaborate.
Local Taliban fighters loyal to radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah control most parts of the scenic northwestern valley, where they are trying to impose strict Islamic law.
They have banned girls' education and blown up nearly 200 schools to enforce that order.
Authorities said they found eight bullet-ridden bodies in the area Wednesday. It was not clear who killed them.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
