Pakistani officials say at least seven family members have been killed by fighting in the country's troubled northwest.

The civilians were killed Friday when artillery shells launched by security forces hit their home in Swat Valley. The victims included at least three children. At least three other homes in the area also were damaged.

Troops said they were targeting militant positions in the region.

Pakistan's military launched a major offensive against militants in Swat Valley last year, when radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah called for a holy war against the government. Since then, security forces have killed more than 200 militants and cleared out most of the area.