The military lifted curfews Monday in seven towns in the Swat Valley in a further sign of confidence that it's military offensive against the Taliban there is making progress, though violence flared elsewhere. The order will allow thousands of people caught in the battle zone to leave their homes and search for food and other supplies that have dwindled, often to nothing, in the past month of fighting. The military said in a statement daytime curfews were lifted Monday in the Swat towns of Bahrain, Madyan, Fatehpur, Khwazakhela, Matta and Alpurai and in the nearby district of Shangla, according to a report of Associated Press.
