Pakistani military today killed 17 militants during operations in the country's northwest and tribal areas while the bodies of 22 suspected rebels were found across the Swat and Buner districts.<br/>In a fresh spurt of violence in the north western Swat valley, security forces killed 12 militants and apprehended two more during search operations. The army says it is winding down an operation against the Taliban in Swat and there have been few major clashes in the region in the past few weeks.<br/>In the South Waziristan tribal region, five militants were killed during a clearance operation near the former Taliban stronghold of Sararogha.<br/>Troops conducted search operations around the former militant bases of Kaniguram and Makeen and recovered arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices. Soldiers also carried out retaliatory action after militants targeted them with rockets near Wouchaba village.<br/>Meanwhile, Geo News channel reported that the bodies of 22 suspected militants were found today in different parts of Swat and Buner districts.<br/>The Pakistani military says over 545 militants and more than 60 soldiers have died so far while fighting in South Waziristan though these figures cannot be independently verified as reporters have no access to the conflict zone.