MINGORA, Jan 23: Six hardcore militants were arrested and a big cache of arms and ammunition was seized as security forces resumed a search and cordon operation on Wednesday in some areas of upper Swat still under the control of militants loyal to hardline cleric Maulana Fazlullah. Troops pounded militants’ hideouts in Biakand and Mian Kalay of the Nellagram area in the morning and arrested the six militants. They faced no resistance when they entered the area in the afternoon.

During a search operation in Nimgolay area of Kabal tehsil, they found a huge cache of arms and ammunition, uniform of security forces and searchlights etc, concealed in a nearby field.

The seized arms and ammunition included 32 hand-grenades, six gas shells, 18 mortars, several RPG -7, about 298 rounds of 12.7 gun, 32 warheads and a large number of Kalashnikovs and MMS riffles.

Curfew was relaxed in the entire Swat district, Ghut Puechar and Chuprial and some other areas between Bariam and Wanai areas where law-enforcement personnel continued the search operation.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has said that military operations, though part of national effort, are only means to the end.

He made these remarks during his visit to forward posts in Swat, says an ISPR Press Release issued here on Wednesday.

He appreciated the support of the people of Swat which helped the army to restore normalcy in the area.

Speaking to notables of the area, the Army Chief stressed the need for them to take control of the area and contribute to the peace and welfare of the people.

He said that miscreants from most parts of Swat had been flushed out and normalcy restored.

He appreciated the role of security forces for successful completion of their task in Swat.

He also announced that the army would now be involved in providing fast-track relief to the people of Swat, which would address their basic needs. These efforts would involve an expenditure of one billion rupees in the next three to five months.

Earlier, Gen Kayani was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing security situation in Swat by General Officers Commanding.