At least 46 militants were killed in Pakistan’s South Waziristan tribal region and the Malakand division as clashes were reported on Saturday from different areas of Swat despite the Government’s claim that most of the northwestern valley had been cleared of rebels.

Six soldiers, including an officer, were killed and 17 soldiers injured in fighting in Malakand and South Waziristan Agency during the past 24 hours. Six militants were also apprehended, the military said.

Forty militants were killed in air strikes on militant hideouts during the past 24 hours, military officials were quoted as saying by Dawn News channel.

These were the first known casualties among fighters of Tehrik-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud in a new offensive in South Waziristan, where al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and his other top commanders and Taliban leaders are believed to be holed up.