Nine militants killed, 8 held in Swat: ISPR

The Pakistan Army continues search and clearance operations in restive Swat and Malakand during the last 24 hours. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday said in a statement that the troops, in Swat, conducted a snap operation at Syed Parinda Ziarat near Rangeela and apprehended 5 suspects and also recovered 4 small machine guns, 11 pistols, 2 rifles, 3 grenades and 1 motorola set. The security forces conducted a search operation at Kuza Banda. During exchange of fire 5 terrorists were killed. Fire exchange took place between terrorists and security forces at Tahirabad and Billogram and security forces killed 4 terrorists. Forces conducted a search operation and apprehended 3 suspected terrorists reportedly close associate of Momin Khan (Kala Dhaka) at Kuz Bandal by Batagram Police. The army conducted a search operation at Bar, Kuz Drushkhela and destroyed 2 caves and recovered 1 small machine gun. Separately, a Jirga was held at Sakhra in which locals assured their cooperation to security forces for clearance operation.