ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistani official says authorities are urging residents to flee a Taliban-held valley in the northwest where a peace deal appears to be crumbling.

Khushal Khan says authorities are lifting a curfew on Tuesday so that people can leave Swat Valley's main town of Mingora.

Khan is the top government official in Swat.

He says people should flee for their own safety because Taliban militants were roaming the area and planting mines and security forces may be forced to retaliate.

He wouldn't say whether an army offensive — which would spell the end of the peace pact — was imminent.