MINGORA, Aug 27: Fresh tension gripped the Swat Valley after militants blew up four private transport offices at the Matta general bus stand and security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, shelled suspected militant hideouts on Wednesday.

The transport offices which run and regulate Karachi-bound coaches were blown up on Tuesday night. However, no casualty was reported because the transporters had vacated the offices several days ago.

The explosions caused by devices planted by militants destroyed the offices.

The security forces pounded suspected militant positions with mortar and shells in upper areas of Kabal, Barikot, Matta and Charbagh tehsils from the Frontier House of Kabal and the FC camp in Kanju early on Wednesday. Several houses were damaged when some shells fell in residential areas. However, there was no report of any casualty.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people were continued to leave their homes and moving to safe places in the district and other areas of the province.