ISLAMABAD, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Five militants have been killed during the Pakistani security forces operation in the last 24 hours in the country's tribal area of South Waziristan, according to an army press release Sunday.

    Meanwhile, the military said that in the search operation in Swat and Malakand of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), security forces killed 12 militants and arrested two suspects.

    Seven militants voluntarily surrendered to security forces in the Swat operation, it added.

    On relief activities, the military said that 11,533 cash cards have been issued to displaced families of Waziristan.

    Over 500 militants have been killed since the Pakistani security forces launched the operation started on Oct. 17 in the South Waziristan tribal agency bordering Afghanistan.

    The army said that about 30,000 soldiers are in place to take on an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban militants in the lawless area. About 500 commandos arrived in the region on Friday.

    The military said that the operation is launched in six towns of the area and is likely to continue for six to eight weeks, but no final deadline can be given.

Special Report: Pakistani Situation