The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Peshawar

Pakistan imposed a round-the-clock curfew in a restive mountain valley in the northwest on Wednesday as the army claimed more than 20 militants died in clashes with security forces.

The army spokesman's office said the curfew was declared indefinitely throughout the Swat Valley - a day after pro-Taliban militants there abducted at least 25 police and paramilitary troops. Clashes Tuesday also left two troops and two militants dead. The rising violence could herald an end to a May peace deal between the provincial government and a militant cleric, Mullah Fazlullah, whose supporters last year took control of tracts of the valley before an army operation drove them out.

Fazlullah has threatened attacks on the government of North West Frontier Province, where Swat is located, accusing it of not honoring the May peace accord.