ISLAMABAD, June 20 The army claimed that 38 militants had been killed and six captured during operations in different areas of Malakand division and South Waziristan on Friday and Saturday. Six soldiers, including an officer, lost their lives.

Seventeen soldiers, a junior commissioned officer among them, were injured.

According to the ISPR, security forces secured Kotlai, Chungai and Zara Khela areas of Swat and launched an operation in Dagai.

Three terrorists, including a brother of militant commander Yousaf, were arrested near Peochar. A complex of four tunnels was destroyed.

Troops cleared the villages of Babu and Shakardarra, captured three terrorists and defused three improvised explosive devices.

Militants ambushed a vehicle of security forces on Udigram-Akhun Kalle road in Swat. Three soldiers lost their lives and seven suffered injuries in the attack.

Terrorists fired rockets in Shahdand Banda, Devolai and Totan Banda areas and injured three soldiers. Six militants were killed in the exchange of fire with security forces.

One soldier lost his life during a clearance operation from Malakand to Thana.

An army major and a soldier were killed and six injured when militants ambushed a convoy of security forces in Hilal Khel area of Bajaur.

Our Correspondent in Wana adds Security forces made further inroads into Mehsud territory in South Waziristan on Saturday.

The Army claimed that 32 militants had been killed in the offensive.

According to sources, reinforcements reached Serwekai Fort from Madejan, a Mehsud territory secured on Friday. Troops have secured hilltops and key locations between Madejan and Serwekai. Helicopter gunships shelled suspected militant hideouts in Barond, Serwekai and Gul Serai areas.

The sources said that security forces were trying to take control of the Wana-Jandola Road to establish link with Wana, the regional headquarters.

A soldier was killed and seven others were injured when their vehicle was hit by a rocket in Bakakhel area of Bannu.

Our Correspondent in Khar adds Seven militants were killed and five injured during an operation in Charmang area of Bajaur tribal region.

Security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, pounded militants' positions in the villages of Babara, Kohi, Chinar, Matak and Manogai. Six explosive devices were defused.

According to sources, troops arrested Gul Zarin, a militant commander of Taliban's Bajaur chief Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, during search at a checkpost in Omarai area of Mamond tehsil. Weapons and explosive devices were recovered from him.Security forces demolished a number of houses of suspected militants in the villages of Kotkai, Tangai, Chinar and Asghar in Charmang.