August 20, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 17, 1429

MINGORA, Aug 19: A man was killed and 10 others injured during action against militants as shells, reportedly fired by security forces, hit civilian population in Swat valley on Tuesday.

According to locals, Mainush Khan was killed and a child was injured when a shell fell on his house in Kharari Cham of Matta tehsil.

The locals put his body in front of the Matta police station and closed shops and markets in protest, demanding end to shelling on the civilian population.

Nine people were injured when a stray shell hit their houses in Dit Pani and surrounding areas. The injured were rushed to Matta Tehsil Hospital in critical condition. Several cattle heads were also killed in shelling and firing.

Helicopter gunship pounded suspected hideouts of militants with intervals in Matta and Kabal tehsils late on Monday night and early on Tuesday. Several houses were destroyed but no casualty was reported during the strikes.

Meanwhile, undeclared curfew remained imposed in Kabal for indefinite period which multiplied the miseries of the local people. Patients were the worst sufferers of the curfew, however, it was relaxed in rest of the district from 7am to 8pm.