LAKKI MARWAT, Feb 7: Security forces have arrested seven suspected militants and seized weapons from their possession during a search operation in Mastikhel area, which borders the Frontier tribal region, an official told this correspondent here on Monday.

He said that the security officials recovered five Kalashnikovs, a rifle, repeater gun, pistol, shotgun and three stolen vehicles from the suspects.

Meanwhile, police have arrested several outlaws in different parts of the district during a crackdown on anti-social elements.

The official said that police personnel raided the hideouts of criminals on Monday and arrested 10 proclaimed absconders. He said that the alleged outlaws included Naseerullah, Sardar, Javed, Nisar, Pervez, Bilqiaz, Abdul Manan, Habibullah, Johar and Sanaullah.

He said that police also arrested three alleged drug pushers identified as Latifullah, Farmanullah and Mir Nawaz.

He said that separate cases had been registered against the arrested accused. SCHOOL EXAMS:

The district Elementary and Secondary Education Department (ESED) in a meeting on Monday formed an eight-member committee to make arrangements for annual examinations of primary schools and eighth class in middle and high schools.

ESED EDO Noor Hasan chaired the meeting, which was attended by deputy district officer (primary) Noorani Shah, headmasters and principals of high and higher secondary schools and representatives of primary and middle schools.

After discussion, the meeting formed a committee comprising two members each from primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools for holding the annual examinations.

The committee was asked to submit a report till Feb 15 about the arrangements for conducting the examinations, preparation of question papers and other related matters.

Mr Hasan also called upon the headmasters and principals to prepare the students of grade 9th and 10th of their respective schools for the upcoming secondary school certificate examinations, which would start from March 16.