May 7 (Bloomberg) -- Kifayatullah, the son of Pakistani pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Muhammad, was killed in shelling by security forces in the northwestern Swat Valley.

The eldest of Muhammad’s 14 sons died early this morning when mortar shells hit his house, Rizwanullah Farooq, Kifayatullah’s brother, said by telephone from Swat.

Muhammad negotiated the peace accord in Swat that saw Islamic law introduced in the valley and neighboring districts after almost two years of fighting. Taliban gunmen, instead of laying down their arms, advanced to within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of the capital, Islamabad, last month and demanded the right to choose their own Islamic judges.

Pakistani troops have killed more than 235 Taliban militants since April 26 in a bid to reassert control of the region.

At least 45,000 people have fled the conflict in the Swat Valley and neighboring districts this week, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Local government officials say they are preparing emergency shelter for as many as 500,000 people.

President Barack Obama is pressing the government in Islamabad to wrest control of the area from extremists, who have beheaded local officials, burned schools and banned education for girls in their campaign to impose Islamic law.

To contact the reporter on this story: Farhan Sharif in Karachi at fsharif2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: May 7, 2009 01:29 EDT