ISLAMABAD: Taliban militants attacked an army convoy Monday in Swat’s Bari Kot region, killing one soldier.

The attack took place early in the morning, said police officer Ayaz Khan.

An army officer said militants used rocket and gunfire to attack the convoy, but security forces repelled the attack. One soldier was killed and one injured, he said, requesting anonymity.

Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan claimed responsibility for attack, saying it was in response to the alleged strengthening of military positions in the region in violation of the peace deal.

'Why do you think we should remain silent if they come heavy on us? ... We will attack them too,' he told The Associated Press.

Also on Monday, armed Taliban defied a government curfew and were patrolling the main town in district after rejecting an Islamic appeals court set up under a peace deal, witnesses said.

Authorities imposed a curfew from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am in Mingora, the main town in Swat, on Sunday for the first time since signing the February deal with Sufi Mohammad to try to end nearly two years of violence.

‘We had concerns about the law and order situation, that is why the curfew was imposed,’ the head of the local administration, Khushhal Khan, told AFP.

Residents said they saw armed Taliban patrolling the main roads in Mingora late Sunday despite the curfew.

‘It is the first time that Taliban have again started armed patrolling in Mingora,’ one resident told AFP, requesting anonymity.

‘Do not give my name because the Taliban will find me and kill me,’ the frightened resident said.

‘Once again fear is gripping the entire town.’ Another resident said Taliban militants were ‘again taking up positions on top of buildings’ in Mingora.

Security officials and police declined to comment when asked whether armed Taliban were patrolling in Mingora.