Islamabad, Aug 18 (Xinhua) Pakistani security forces have arrested 34 militants in northwest Pakistan, the army said in a statement Tuesday.

The militants were captured during search operations in Swat and Malakand division by the security forces and pro-government militias in the past 24 hours to Tuesday evening.

In a separate incident Tuesday, militants have blown up a girls' school in the Lower Dir district. Several adjoining houses were also destroyed in the blast, TV reports said citing the Inter Services Public Relations.

Officials, however, did not mention whether anyone was hurt or killed in the explosion.

Pakistani security forces have killed more than 1,600 militants since they launched a military operation against the Taliban in April in the country.