MINGORA, Jan 5: Misdirected shells fired by security forces wiped out a family of six and seriously injured three other people in Upper Swat on Saturday.

Local people said that security personnel had been targeting militant positions when stray shells landed at Mustan Khan’s residence in Kala Kaley, killing all inmates, including the head of the family, his wife, two sons and two daughters. They were buried in Galoch area on Saturday.

Three women also suffered injuries at Kalochy village when houses came under fire between Friday night and Saturday. Five houses were damaged in the artillery fire.

Residents said security forces began firing mortar shells in different areas, including Arias, Tuchar, Gatt, Shur, Kala Kaley and Kalochy at about 9:30pm on Friday, which continued till Saturday morning and added that sporadic incidents of firing were reported from different localities of Matta and Kabal.

Curfew was imposed on the district at 6pm and would not be relaxed in sensitive areas of Matta and Kabal, however, it was expected be relaxed in other parts of Swat.

Police found bodies of two unidentified people in Kabal area, which would be handed over to their relatives after identification.

According to the government’s media centre in Swat, unknown people set on fire militant commander Maulana Saeed’s house in Matta tehsil’s Chuprial area.

Meanwhile, residents of Upper Swat are still in the grip of fear. Except Matta, which is a military base, most localities are still under militant control.