MINGORA, Nov 24: Security forces clamped a 24-hour curfew on the troubled Swat as different areas of the district came under intense artillery and mortar fire.

There were reports of troops advancing towards Charbagh, a militant stronghold on the Mingora-Kalam Road.

Seven militants were killed in the Shangla district as sporadic clashes continued in Pagori, Puran and other areas, sources said.

Security forces claimed killing a number of militants near Manglawar area in Swat. However, it could not be confirmed from independent sources.

Panic gripped the area after the curfew was imposed in Swat starting at 2pm on Saturday. Earlier, the curfew started at 12 midnight on Friday, which continued till 9am on Saturday.

People purchasing daily-use commodities started rushing back to their homes after the sudden announcement of the curfew. Many were unable to buy food and other necessary items.

“We got very little time to return back home as we came to know about the fresh curfew only half an hour before it was to take effect,” said a resident of Mingora.

People displaced from different areas of Swat and adjoining Shangla district were the worst hit. Many had no proper clothing or food due to the continuous curfew during the last couple of days.

The displaced people have also not been receiving any emergency support from the administration as in the ongoing conflict the district administration has almost vanished from the scene.

The official media centre said a decision had been made to accommodate the displaced people from the affected areas in government schools.

“The district government has opened Government High School No 3 for the displaced people,” a press release said.

Reports suggested that people in militant-controlled areas were facing severe food shortage due to the blockade imposed by security forces.

The shelling intensified in the evening and till filing of this report loud explosions could be heard from different areas, including Imam Dehri, Koza Banda and Bara Banda.

Some areas of Matta also came under shelling during the day and the military claimed that a checkpoint set up by militants in Dehri area had been destroyed.

Cell phones remained jammed in most areas after curfew, giving rise to speculations that the government might be going for a fierce operation later in the night.

Meanwhile, troops reportedly made some further advances in mountainous areas in Shangla district near Alpuri.

Official sources said troops had not entered Alpuri amid reports that militants might have mined the area.