17 militants killed, 13 others arrested in NW Pakistan

Seventeen militants were killed and 13 others arrested during ongoing search and clearance operations in northwest Pakistan in the last 24 hours, an army statement said Thursday.

Pakistani security forces continued operations in various areas of Swat and Malakand, North West Frontier Province. Twelve militants were killed in Tilligram, Benjot, Seer, Mangaltan and five were killed at Kasona, according to the Inter Services Public Relations.

Thirteen militants were apprehended and seven others surrendered themselves to security forces in Swat.

Besides, according to the private TV channel DAWN News, the bullet-riddled bodies of 15 suspected militants were found on Thursday in Swat valley.

In another incident, militants fired eight rockets at Razmak Camp in South Waziristan tribal agency while security forces bombed the hideouts of Taliban in the restive area bordering Afghanistan. Resultantly four soldiers were injured.

About 1,700 militants have been killed since Pakistani security forces launched the military operation against Taliban militants late April after militants in early April entered the Buner district from the neighboring Swat district and refused to vacate the area despite their pledge to do so.

Source: Xinhua