Pakistani army arrests 18 more suspected terrorists

ISLAMABAD, July 17 -- The Pakistani security forces have apprehended 18 more suspected terrorists while destroying a number of their bunkers and tunnels in northwest Pakistan's Swat and Malaknd districts, the army said in an update issued on Friday.

The security forces conducted search and clearance operations in various parts of Swat and Dir and apprehended some weapons, the army said.

Meanwhile on Friday the third phase of the internally displaced persons (IDPs)' repatriation to their native towns started while as many as 9,000 families have been dispatched to their homes at the end of the second phase of IDPs' repatriation.

According to reports, a total of 5002 families returned to Swatand Buner from Mardan and Swabi on the last day of second phase while 460 families among them were dispatched officially.

Most of the other family members of IDPs returned Swat and Buner through their personal sources, unit said.

The army said repatriation for Mingora city has also started. It is expected that the entire process of repatriation will complete in period of 14 days as per announcement of the government.