PESHAWAR (AP) -- Hundreds of armed militants loyal to a pro-Taleban cleric have seized control of major parts of a northwestern tourist district, witnesses and officials said Wednesday.

Dozens of paramilitary troops and police surrendered their weapons to militants and retreated from the mountain town of Kalam in the scenic Swat Valley, a police official said.
Announcements about the advance were made on a pirate FM radio station run by cleric Mullah Fazlullah, as militants hoisted their party flag on police stations and government buildings and distributed sweets.
Police however said Mingora, the main town in the valley, was still in the control of the government of conservative North West Frontier Province.
Followers of the firebrand Fazlullah, who is demanding Islamic Sharia law in Swat had earlier taken control of the major towns of Matta, Khawazakhela and, on Tuesday, Madyan.
The government moved 2,500 troops into Swat late last month to counter Fazlullah, who is also known as ""Mullah Radio"" for his speeches on the private radio station, on which he calls for a holy war on authorities.
Officially, more than 150 militants have been killed in clashes with security forces in the past week.