Pak Army imposes curfew in Swat valley following clashes

Peshawar, July 30 : The Pakistan Army has imposed curfew across the Swat region for an indefinite period after its troops exchanged fire with militants in some areas of the valley.

So far, at least 30 Taliban have been reported killed in the Matta region of the Swat Valley. The Taliban, however, said that only five of their comrades had died.

The clashes followed renewed violence in the area in which three Pakistani officials were killed and up to 30 security forces kidnapped by militants.

The violence has delivered a serious blow to a peace deal signed with the militants in Swat two months ago.

The Army has taken over the control of the Matta police station area. The attack on the Taliban was carried out in retaliation for the attack on the Venai check post.

The Taliban have also accepted the responsibility for bombing an armoured vehicle, the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation hotel at Malamjabba and the Army rest house, while a girls' school at Golibagh and three bridges at Gora, Roniyal and Seej Banter were destroyed by detonating explosives.

ANI