ISLAMABAD, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces apprehended 19 militants in the continued search and clearance operations in northwest Pakistan's Swat and Malakand during the last 24 hours, the army said Monday.

    The army said in a daily update that the security forces arrested 17 suspects and destroyed three houses of militants in the operations conducted in various areas of Swat. Trend of terrorists surrendering voluntarily is picking up, the statement said.

    In adjoining Buner, it said, the security forces apprehended two militants and also recovered some weapons.

    On relief activities, the army said, 239,689 cash cards have been distributed amongst the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Malakand.

    On Saturday, all government and private schools have been reopened in the troubled northwest, including those in the conflict-hit districts of Swat, Buner and Lower Dir, following the military offensives against the Taliban.