Pakistan - Swat offensive

We'll win the war but what about hearts and minds? asks PM Gilani

Article published on the 2009-05-14 Latest update 2009-05-15 06:54 TU

TV footage shows the bodies of two dead children at a makeshift hospital in the town of Mingora, located in the Swat district
(Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday warned Parliament that the government could lose public support if it fails to help the thousands of civilians affected by its offensive against the Taliban in the north-west of the country.

"Militarily we will win the war but it will be unfortunate if we lose it publicly," Gilani told the National Assembly.

Most political parties back the offensive in the Swat valley and surrounding areas. But the latest estimates put the number of civilians who have fled the fighting at between 834,000 and 1.5 million, while up to 200,000 are trapped in the main town, Mingora, where a decisive battle is expected soon.

"Troops have cut off the supply lines of these militants," reports Peshawar correspondent Behroz Khan. "They are not getting more ammunition and weapons."

Gilani predicted defeat for the Islamists but said that the government must win the hearts and minds of those forced from their homes. The  internal displacement is unprecedented in the country's history, he pointed out.

A senior army officer who played a major role in relief after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir has been put in charge of helping the refugees.

"The main share of the relief is coming from the people," says Behroz Khan; "I would say that 80 per cent of the displaced are staying outside the camps and those who are totally helpless and hopeless, only they land in the IDP camps."

Khan confirms reports that Lashkar-e-Taiba, a banned group linked to the Mumbai terror attacks, is among Islamist groups operating relief operations. It has rebaptised itself Jamaat-ud-Dawa.

The military has reported "heavy fighting" in the moutains at Peochar and fighter jets bombed caves and hideouts overnight.

About 54 Taliban fighters and nine soldiers have been killed over the last 24 hours, according to Major-General Athar Abbas at a press breifing in Islamabad on Thursday.

Buner district lacks electricity and drinking water and food is scarce there, according to International Committee of Red Cross workers who have entered the area for the first time since fighting began.

On France 24 TV  Report from a refugee camp