ISLAMABAD: Militants have killed two members of an anti-Taliban citizen's group tasked with protecting their community in Swat, a local official said.

Mayor Mohammad Ibrar Khan said the assailants struck early Thursday as members of the ‘peace committee’ slept in Swat's Sertelegram area.

Security guards engaged the militants in a gunbattle and Khan said several attackers were killed, though no bodies have been found.

Khan says local people formed the group last week to protect their area from Taliban fighters who controlled the valley until July when a major offensive by the Pakistani army scattered them.

The formation of such citizen groups is supported by the government and has angered the Taliban leading to attacks.