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Military reinforcements reach Swat

* Residents establish security post to help troops block Taliban’s entry

By Saleem Athar

MINGORA: More military reinforcements reached Swat on Wednesday morning as the ongoing operation against militants intensified in the valley, sources said.

A curfew has been in place in Malakand and Swat districts since Tuesday evening, primarily to prevent attacks on troop movements.

However, the curfew was lifted in most areas of Swat, including Kabal, Kanjoo and Malakand districts, at 11am on Wednesday. Peshawar Corps Commander Lt General Masood Aslam arrived in Swat for a short visit and met army officers to review progress in the ongoing operation, sources said.

Resident’s checkpost: In the Shaur area of Matta tehsil, residents established a security checkpost to block the re-entry of members of the Taliban ousted in the military operation. The checkpost is being manned by armed locals, who will patrol the area to help security forces restore the writ of the government, a resident said.

The decision to establish the security post was taken by a 29-member jirga made up of elders and influential people, residents said.

Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen, believed to be Taliban militants, broke into three local hotels in the Sambat area of Matta, on Tuesday night and smashed television sets installed there.

They also warned the hotel owners of dire consequences if television sets were seen in their hotels again.

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