MINGORA, Aug 5: Artillery shells killed a child and a woman and militants set on fire four more girls’ schools in Swat on Tuesday.

Security forces pounded militants’ hideouts in Matta, Kabal and Charbagh as clashes continued for a seventh day.

In Koree and Labut areas, the woman and the child were killed and a number of houses were hit by mortar shells.

Militants torched the four girls’ schools in Shakardar, Zangi, Dherai Baba and Tahirabad. Records of 750 girl students, three computers, offices of headmistresses, teachers and clerks’ rooms and laboratories were reduced to ashes. Exodus continued from Kabal, Matta and Charbagh. A curfew in place was relaxed from 6am to 7pm in the valley, except Kabal and Matta.