MINGORA/KHAR, Dec 7: Three militants were killed during a clash with security forces in Shakardarra area of Swat here on Tuesday, officials said. They said that security forces launched a search operation in the area on information that three hardcore militants were present in a hideout in there. The militants opened firing on security forces when they were asked to surrender, they said.

Security forces retaliated and killed thee militants, officials said. They said that security forces also recovered heavy weapons from possession of the dead militants. They were wanted by police in a number of terror acts.

Meanwhile, security forces recovered a cache of weapons in Dherai area, sources said on Tuesday. Security forces raided a house in the area on information that militants had dumped a cache of weapons there. The seizure included nine hand grenades, three Kalashnikovs and thousands of live rounds.

Security forces destroyed houses of deputy chief of banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Maulana Faqir Mohammad, his brother and another militant commander in Bajaur Agency on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in anti-state activities.

Three residential compounds were blown up in Loy Mamond tehsil. Officials said that Faqir Mohammad, his brother Maulana Gul Mohammad and another militant commander Mir Zaman alias Pervaz were wanted in anti-state activities. Faqir Mohammad, who was leading insurgency in the area bordering Afghanistan, is still at large along with his comrades.

Mohammad Ilyas, an official of political administration, said that wanted people had already vacated their homes. The houses of wanted persons were destroyed under the Frontier Crimes Regulation, he added.

Officials said that Faqir’s elder brother was operating illegal FM radio station in Bajaur to air propaganda against government. He had also served as chief qazi (judge) of Taliban courts in Bajaur Agency where opponents were tried by militants.