Curfew imposed in Swat
PESHAWAR (November 14 2007): Authorities on Tuesday imposed a curfew in a restive north-western area where militants loyal to a cleric are waging a campaign for Islamic law, the army said. The curfew in the scenic Swat valley was announced hours after army gunship helicopters pounded rebel positions in the mountains, blowing up an ammunition dump and killing four insurgents, it said.
“The curfew has been imposed to check the movement of the militants,” chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP, adding that it would be in force from midnight Tuesday to 5:00 am on Wednesday.
Witnesses said the curfew announcement was made over mosque loudspeakers. But the militants made further gains on Tuesday, officials and witnesses said, with around 400 seizing control of key government buildings in the Shangla district of Swat. The militants rode in on 20 vehicles from a nearby town, which they seized last week.
“The militants are patrolling in the bazaar. They are not facing any resistance,” witnesses said. Local security officials confirmed the reports. General Arshad said there was a “report” of a militant attack in Shangla but that he was awaiting details.
Earlier, army choppers killed four militants and destroyed several militant positions in the Sambat area of Swat, the army said in a statement. Another five insurgents were injured when helicopters blew up a checkpost established by militants in Sarani. Rebel hideouts in two other villages were also targeted, it added. Meanwhile paramilitary troops captured four suspected militants and one Afghan carrying arms and explosives, it said.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:11/14/2007
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