MINGORA, Jan 7: A suicide bomber blew himself up in an explosive-laden vehicle near a military base camp in Kabal on Monday, injuring 10 people, including eight soldiers. The attack took place during curfew hours.

According to official sources, the suicide bomber was driving a single-cabin pick-up, which exploded at 11.15am in front of the gate of the Frontier Golf Club, a military base camp.

The blast destroyed the building of a technical institute and partially damaged the buildings of the Iqra Academy, said the sources. The injured included the principal of the institute.

On Sunday, Maulana Fazlullah, through his FM radio, asked his followers to launch attacks against security forces.

The ISPR claimed that eight security forces personnel manning a checkpoint sustained minor injuries in the attack.

CURFEW: Curfew was relaxed in Swat from 7.00 am till 6.00 pm except in areas north of Wanay Bridge and Chuprial valley.

The security forces have been consolidating their positions in upper Matta tehsil and bracing for a final assault on the hideouts of militants in Ghut Peuchar, Shore, Chuprial and other areas.

They claimed besieging hardcore militants, including Maulana Fazlullah, after taking control of the Wanay Bridge and blocking supply routes.

Official sources said the security forces had been manning a checkpoint established a day earlier at Ronial. They claimed that from that location the forces could easily keep an eye on militants.