MINGORA, Dec 1: The displaced people of Shangla have started returning to their homes as the administration resumed functioning in Alpuri, the district headquarters, on Saturday.

The displaced families had been provided shelter in different government schools and some had been accommodated by people in their houses and hujras. The administration made transport arrangements for them and gave them food and other daily-use items which could be utilised for three days.

Security forces, meanwhile, continued pounding different areas believed to be strongholds of militants.

Residents of Khwazakhela told Dawn that a large number of people were ready to leave the area because a showdown was expected between the security forces and militants there. “Artillery shelling often intensifies during the night, causing scare among the people. They want to leave the area,” said a resident.

Two women of Khwazakhela reportedly died because they could not receive timely medical treatment due to curfew in the area.

A resident of Khwazakhela said the women were taken up to the Fizzagut checkpost but they were not allowed to move further.

The government has given a telephone number for contact in case of emergency, but the facility cannot be availed because phones either remain jammed in the area or there is a fault in the network.

In Mingora, the curfew was relaxed from 12 noon to 5pm on Saturday. The authorities announced that from Mingora up to Chakdara, the curfew will be relaxed from 5am to 5pm on Sunday and in other areas of the Swat valley from 11am to 4pm.

According to the ISPR, the security forces engaged militants in Piochar, north of Matta, and areas between Charbagh and Khwazakhela on Friday night. It said that wireless communication intercepted by the security forces had revealed that the militants had suffered heavy casualties.

It said that a number of checkposts would be established which would be manned by personnel of the Frontier Constabulary and police. Two checkposts have already been established in Bara Banda and Ningolai.

The administration and police have yet to resume functions in Madyan, Bahrain, Kalam and other areas vacated by militants.

The government media centre in Mingora told journalists that the security forces were in control of Shangla and the district administration was functioning smoothly.

Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlullah asked his women followers who had earlier volunteered for carrying out suicide bombings that they should prepare themselves for the supreme sacrifice.

He claimed that the first suicide bomber in the world was a woman. “Those of my sisters who had given their names for the supreme sacrifice shall be ready for the ‘fidai’ attack.”

Speaking on his FM radio for the second day, he said: “The war is not over; we have only changed our strategy by vacating some areas.”

He denied that he had sent a jirga to the government for a ceasefire. “Our struggle will continue till enforcement of Sharia in the region.”

He also asked journalists not to be scared of the security forces and to write the truth. “You will be a martyr if you die while writing the truth.”

The government had blocked his radio station but on Friday night he managed to relay his speech.