MINGORA, Jan 21: Security forces on Monday claimed arresting 35 militants from various areas in Upper Swat, along with a would-be suicide bomber and the cleric who had authored a controversial Fatwa, sanctioning beheadings of government officials and allowing suicide attacks.

Chuprial and Loe Namal areas in Matta tehsil were cordoned off as security forces continued to search for militants.

The would-be suicide bomber was identified as Farman. He was arrested along with his father Maulvi Habibullah, an associate of Maulana Fazlullah, from Chuprial.

There was no break in a curfew imposed on Sunday night.

According to a statement of the media centre in Swat, the security forces recovered three government vehicles which had been taken away by militants, a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.

Local people helped the troops torch and demolish houses of three militants, Saedur Rehman, Sultan Mehmood alias Pattan and Saifullah, believed to be close aides of Maulana Fazlullah.

In other areas of the district, shops, banks and government offices remained open, and life returned to normal.

The government claimed that 90 per cent of roads in Swat had been cleared of militants and the remaining 10 percent would be cleared soon.