Security forces have arrested 10 militants in ongoing search and clearance operations in northwest Pakistan in the last 24 hours, and killed three others in tribal areas, an army press release said Monday.

Security forces continued search and clearance operations in various areas of Swat and Malakand in North West Frontier Province (NWFP). On a tip-off, they apprehended militant Muhammad Sadiq, a school teacher who has been indoctrinating young boys towards militancy, and eight others in Swat. During exchange of fire one soldier were killed.

In Buner of NWFP, security forces raided a town and arrested militant commander Yasin along with arms and ammunition.

Three militants were killed in a retaliatory fire by security forces when militants attacked a military convoy in North Waziristan tribal agency on Monday. Three security forces personnel were also injured in the exchange of fire.

Relief activities continued, and so far 249,044 cash cards have been distributed among the internally displaced persons of Malakand.

Over 1,600 militants have been killed since Pakistani security forces launched the military operations against Taliban militants in 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.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2009)