Thousands fled for safe places as Pakistani security forces and Taliban-linked militants Wednesday fought gun battle in the restive Swat valley in the country’s northwest.

Evacuees from Buner walk near a camp on the outskirts of Peshawar May 5, 2009. Pakistani authorities urged people on Tuesday in the Swat Valley’s main town, about 50km (31 miles) from Buner, to leave their homes for safer places as security forces could soon launch an offensive against Taliban militants there.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that he expects hostilities in Swat will displace around 500,000 people. He said that camps had been set up for the IDPs.

The security forces entered Mingora, the main city in the Swat valley, early Wednesday morning to expel hundreds of Taliban, who Tuesday occupied main buildings, government offices and major roads.

Reports quoted witnesses in Mingora as saying that they were hearing heavy firing in the city. They said that the army used heavy artillery to shell emerald mines at the Fizaghat area, a kilometer from Mingora.

There has been no report of casualties as journalists are not allowed to visit the war-shattered area.

The authorities have imposed curfew for an indefinite period in Swat and Malakand areas, forcing the people to confine to their homes.

Witnesses said that people wanted to flee but the curfew had forced them to stay indoors.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet