MINGORA, Nov 15: Nine militants, including a local Taliban commander, were killed and 15 others injured in clashes with security forces in Swat on Saturday.

According to a press release of the Swat Media Centre, seven militants, including commander Ali Rehman of Dherai, were killed and eleven others injured in a clash with security forces in Kabal.

Two militants were killed and four injured in Sambat area of Matta tehsil in an exchange of fire between troops and militants loyal to hardline cleric Maulana Fazlullah.

The security forces targeted suspected hideouts of militants in Kabal, Peuchar and Manja.The district administration, with the help of different NGOs, has set up four relief camps for affected people one each in Tahirabad, Shahdara and two in Balogram.

The statement said the affected people were getting all necessities in the camps.

Residents said helicopter gunships and artillery pounded militants’ positions in curfew-bound areas of Kabal Khas, Zora and Akhund Kalley.

Militants blew up a bridge in Sambat area, disrupting the land route to Matta, Khwazakhela, and Skhara areas of Swat.

Two snooker clubs, a video game and CD centres were set on fire by militants in Haji Baba, RanMohalla and Sharifabad areas of Mingora.

A watchman, identified as Ihsanullah, was buried under the debris as roof of the snooker club collapsed.