DAGGAR: Four militants were killed in two separate actions by the security forces in the district on Wednesday, official sources said.

The sources said the security forces launched search operation in Dokada area where a group of militants opened fire on the forces. The sources said that in the exchange of fire three militants were killed.

In another action, a militant identified as Saleem was on his way from Buner district to Swat through hilly area in Karakar village when the security forces intercepted him. The forces challenged him to surrender. The militant, however, opened fire on the forces and was killed after a brief clash.

Meanwhile, the residents of Chowda, Shingat and Ilam areas have started shifting to safer places, as the security forces were about to launch operation in the areas. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Malakand Qazi Jamilur Rehman visited the district where he held meeting with the police and security forces officials about the military operation in the militant strongholds. The sources said the militants had kidnapped a man identified as Taslim, resident of Dokada village, but he was later released.