Separately, three fighters were shot dead as troops carried out a search operation against Taliban remnants in remote Liluani village of the volatile Swat district, located 140 km from Islamabad.

Two others were apprehended during the exchange of fire, the military said in a statement.

Ten insurgents surrendered to the government forces in different areas of Swat, according to the statement. Among them was a 10-year-old boy who received guerrilla training from the militants.

Swat and its nearby districts have largely been cleared of Taliban insurgency but sporadic incidents of violence, including suicide bombings on security forces, began last month.

The army claims it has killed around 2,000 militants since launching the onslaught in late April.