MINGORA, Jan 28: Seven militants and seven civilians were killed in clashes between the local Taliban and security forces in Swat on Wednesday.

The clash took place when Army Chief General Parvez Ashfaq Kayani was visiting the valley.

ISPR’s Swat media centre said that seven militants had been killed and 11 injured in ground and air attacks on militants’ hideouts in Manglawar and Sangota areas. Seven civilians, including a woman, were also killed in crossfire and by shelling.

The ISPR claimed that troops had consolidated their position in the areas once considered to be a stronghold of militants.

Five civilians were killed during the exchange of fire between militants and security forces in Manglawar.

A woman was killed when a mortar shell hit her house in Sairtelegrama area of Charbagh.

A man was killed in a clash in Balogram, near Mingora.