Curfew relaxed in parts of Swat

SWAT: Security forces on Monday pressed their offensive against the militants in the northwest Swat district, closing in on a key town after pushing into a strategic valley, while curfew has been relaxed in various areas of Swat and Shangla till 5pm.

Mingora, the main town in Swat, is back under government control and that troops are now hunting the top leadership of the hard-line militants in the nearby mountains.

"Security forces have encircled Charbagh town where some top militant commanders are holed up," military officials said.

Troops dropped leaflets, warning people to evacuate ahead of a possible operation in Charbagh and curfew has been relaxed to enable civilians to leave the area, which has a population of 20,000-25,000.

Charbagh lies 20 kilometers north of Mingora and has been described as one of the most important militant strongholds after Peochar.

"Checkpoints have been established in the towns of Khwazakhela and Manglawar, north and south of Charbagh respectively, to effectively cut off any possible supplies to the militants," officials said.

Attack helicopters and artillery shelled militant hideouts in Kabal and Lower Malam Jabba overnight into Monday.

The military said security forces entered Kalam, a strategic valley around 90 kilometers north of Mingora, on Sunday where operations were under way to flush out the militants.

Military says more than 1,200 militants have been killed and 80 soldiers were martyred in the onslaught, launched in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8.