Mingora residents told to vacate city after Taliban siege

Islamabad, May 5 (ANI): With the Taliban reportedly establishing control over Mingora, the largest city in the Swat Valley, government has asked residents to vacate the region.

The District Coordination Officer (DCO) of Swat urged civilians to leave the region and migrate to safer places, the Dawn reports.

Earlier, defying the Swat peace accord and calls for truce, the Taliban had established its control over Mingora.

The security forces and the Taliban have set up checkposts on roads leading to Mingora, sources said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the security forces were trying hard to contain the ever advancing extremists.

"The security forces are still exercising restraint to honour the peace agreement," ISPR officials said.

Armed gunmen also torched the house of the deputy superintendent of the police in Kumber region and blew up a government high school building in Tandoodhag area.

Ambush between security forces and militants were also reported from Shamozai, Matta and Bahrain region of the valley. (ANI)