MIRANSHAH: Schools and shops reopened here on Friday as authorities relaxed a curfew imposed after clashes between pro-Taliban militants and the military, officials and residents told AP. Shop owners closed their businesses and thousands of residents fled when troops backed by helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts two weeks ago. The fighting, which the military estimated killed more than 100 militants and eight security forces, was the bloodiest in the region in two years and prompted authorities to impose a 24-hour curfew.On Friday, Syed Zaheerul Islam, the top government administrator of the region, told The Associated Press that "normalcy" had returned and the curfew had been lifted between 8am and 6pm. Also, AFP reported that tribal militants attacked a paramilitary post in Khamranz. "Militants fired five rockets at the post and then attacked it using small arms early on Friday," said a local security official.
| That sounds fairly normal for Miranshah... |