Islamabad, August 22: Two security personnel were killed and as many injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up to evade arrest in the troubled Swat valley today while troops captured 27 militants during search operations across the Malakand division in northwestern Pakistan.
Troops conducting a search operation at Kanju in Swat spotted the suicide bomber while he was trying to enter a residential area and chased him. The bomber detonated his explosives when the house in which he was hiding was surrounded by security forces, officials said.
Two security personnel were killed instantly by the blast, the officials said.
Security forces also continued search operations in different parts of Swat valley and Malakand division, where over 1,800 militants have been killed since the army launched a campaign against the Taliban in May.
Seven suspects were apprehended by troops during a search near Kuz Lalku in Swat. Four suspects were captured during a search operation at Charai while another four were nabbed at Amandkot, Saidu Sharif, Gulkadda, Nawan Killi and Watakai.
Security forces apprehended three suspects while carrying out a search operation in Manglour town. Three suspects were also apprehended at Zara Khela in Swat. Six more suspects were nabbed at Muslim Beg Sar.
The military said troops destroyed three militant hideouts during search operations in Dir, which too is part of Malakand division.
—Agencies