ISLAMABAD, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces apprehended 45 militants in the continued search and clearance operations in northwest Pakistan's Swat and Malak and districts during the last 24 hours, the army said Thursday.

    The army said in a daily update that the security forces reacting sharply on a tip off apprehended nine militants and a vehicle in Ser and Tilgram area in Swat. The vehicle was being prepared for a suicide attack.

    According to the statement, 14 militants surrendered themselves to the security forces at Grid Station near Fatehpur along with four 7mm rifles.

    On relief activities, the army said, so far 271,102 cash cards have been distributed amongst the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Malakand. Meanwhile, a U.N. humanitarian official said Thursday that over 90 percent of the IDPs in Pakistan's troubled northwest have returned to their homes.

    Over 1,600 militants have been killed since Pakistani security forces launched the military operation against Taliban militants in late April.