MINGORA, Jan 27: The authorities imposed curfew in Mingora on Tuesday after about 30 militants entered the general bus stand in the heart of the town and remained in the area for several hours.

A military spokesman denied rumours that the militants had captured the bus stand.

At least seven civilians, two women among them, were killed and 10 others injured when security forces shelled suspected militant hideouts in Sangota and Charbagh.

Troops clashed with militants in Kanju area of Matta tehsil and in Qambar on the outskirts of Mingora.

Two government schools for boys -- a high school in Dheri on the Matta-Mingora road and a primary school in Koza Dandai -- were blown up although the areas are under curfew.

People of Koza and Bara Bandai have again started leaving their homes and moving to other areas. They had returned to their homes only recently after troops had cleared the areas of militants.