SWAT's main city being evacuated....

The Pakistani government has to be tough here.....but can they match the Taliban?

Armed Taliban fighters patrolled roads and clashed with security forces in Pakistan's restive Swat valley a day after declaring that the peace deal "stands dissolved", prompting authorities to ask citizens to vacate Mingora, the region's main city on Tuesday.

The Taliban have taken up positions across Swat and begun patrolling roads.

The militants also attacked security check-posts in the wake of operations being launched against them in nearby Dir and Buner districts. Reports said police and security personnel were largely restricted to police stations and camps.

There were clashes between militants and security forces at several places, including Mingora, the main city in Swat, TV news channels reported.

Militants were seen planting improvised explosive devices on roads in Mingora, Aaj News channel reported. The Taliban also surrounded Mingora police station, the circuit house and a power station where 46 security personnel were deployed.

The Taliban made announcements asking the besieged security personnel at the power station to surrender, TV news channels reported.

The Taliban had on Monday said the peace deal they struck with the government "stands dissolved" as the government continued with its offensive against them.

Khushal Khan, the head of the civil administration in Swat, issued a statement this afternoon asking citizens to vacate Mingora as soon as possible. He said curfew would be relaxed between 1.30 pm and 7 pm for this purpose.