MINGORA, Oct 13: Twenty-five militants and two soldiers were killed in fierce clashes on Monday, forcing people in upper Swat valley to leave their homes for safe areas.

Security forces resumed a search operation in Kashkor and Karam Dheri villages of Khwazakhela tehsil early in the morning, while a curfew remained in force for the second day.

The clashes erupted after an attack by militants on troops during a search operation.

According to ISPR, 25 militants loyal to hardline cleric Maulana Fazlullah were killed and several others injured. Two soldiers were also killed. However, a Taliban spokesman said that only three militants had been killed.

According to sources, several houses were destroyed when helicopters pounded militants’ hideouts after the troops faced stiff resistance. A woman was killed when a mortar shell hit her house in Kashkor.