Suspected Taliban militants have blown up five schools in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley, continuing a campaign to prevent girls from attending classes.
Officials say Monday's targets included both boys' and girls' schools.
The attacks came hours after a government minister, Information Minister Sherry Rehman, vowed that girls' schools would re-open after winter break on March 1, despite the Taliban's ban against girls' education in the region.
A local Taliban leader, Shah Durran, announced the ban in December, telling families they must stop sending their daughters to school by January 15 or the girls will be killed.
The ban is part of the Taliban's bid to enforce its version of Islamic law in northwestern Pakistan. In recent months, militants have blown up an estimated 175 schools.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
