Pakistan army 'kills militants'

The Pakistani army says it has killed at least 15 militants in fighting in the north-west tribal area.

The clashes took place on Monday in the mountainous Swat region.

Police said 25 militants had been killed and 40 arrested in operations around Peshawar in the past 10 days. Three policemen died, they said.

Government forces have been fighting al-Qaeda and Taleban militants and tribesmen sympathetic to their cause in the restive region.

Police said several vehicles used by militants were also destroyed in army shelling.

Officials said 18 wanted militants had been handed over after talks with tribal elders.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, along with suicide vests, was also found in the 10-day operation.