Pakistan

Fighting rages on, exodus of thousands in North-West

Article published on the 2009-05-11 Latest update 2009-05-11 13:07 TU

Internally displaced children in Swabi district, hold classes inside a tent at an UNHCR camp, 11 May 2009.
Photo: REUTERS Mian Khursheed

Government forces targetted Taliban militant hideouts in Swat Valley in north-west Pakistan on Monday. According to the interior ministry more than 700 militants have been killed in the current offensive to flush out Taliban from their hideouts. Official sources and United Nations agencies estimate that between 360 and 500,000 people have fled the fighting.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Islamabad says that a large influx of people arrived on Sunday, particularly from the Swat district in North-West Frontier Province when there was a temporary lifting of the indefinite curfew.

Ariane Rummery from the UNHCR in Islamabad told RFI that "about 20,000 people are staying in some of the new camps that have been set up, a couple of the camps are already full, so people are being directed to camps further south in the province including Jallawai".

"Some are staying with local people, with relatives and with any accommodation they can get," she said.

Since 2 May, the UNCHR has registered 360,066 people, who have fled from Swat, Buner and Lower Dir districts.

Local officials said more than 100,000 people fled Swat on Sunday alone.

The UNHCR and other aid agencies are calling on all parties to the conflict for safe passage for civilians, and for more access for humanitarian supplies and workers to be able to reach those still in the conflict zones.