MINGORA, Pakistan Tens of thousands of civilians, many on foot or donkey-led carts, took advantage of a lifted curfew to flee Pakistan's embattled Swat Valley on Sunday, while the army said it had killed 400 to 500 militants in its battle against the Taliban.
The hemorrhaging of residents from a scenic valley that once attracted hordes of tourists threatened to greatly exacerbate an existing internal refugee crisis for a nuclear-armed nation already facing economic, political and other woes.
The army offensive has garnered praise from the U.S., which wants Pakistan to root out havens on its soil where Taliban militants can plan attacks on American and NATO forces across the border in Afghanistan. In an interview aired Sunday, Pakistan's president urged international support for the fight and insisted the army had enough troops in the northwest to handle the threat.
As they left Swat's main town of Mingora, some residents cursed the situation and condemned the Taliban, while others blamed Pakistani leaders for bowing to the West. "Show our picture to your master America and get money from him," some taunted.
The desperate Swat residents were trying to leave any way they could — on motorbikes, animal-pulled carts, rickshaws or foot. A ban on civilian vehicles entering the valley complicated the exodus for those without cars. Some chided an Associated Press reporter for slowing them down by asking questions.
"We are going out only with our clothes and a few things to eat on the long journey," said Rehmat Alam, a 40-year-old medical technician walking out of Mingora with 18 other relatives. "We just got out relying on God because there is no one else to help us."
Fighter jets and helicopter gunships have pounded Swat and surrounding districts over the past few days after Taliban fighters in the valley moved out and tried to impose their reign in other areas, including a stretch just 60 miles from the capital, Islamabad.
The army's nine-hour suspension of the curfew Sunday could signal a more intense operation now that more civilians have left. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said 400 to 500 militants had been killed since the operation's launch last week.
Much of the latest fighting occurred along the periphery of Swat and Shangla, a neighboring district, he said, and at least 140 bodies of alleged militants were discovered at a militant training camp in that area.
Reports that militants from Swat had filtered into Shangla came out well before the latest operation, but it also was possible that more insurgents were headed to that district to escape the bombardments in the valley.
In Swat, Mingora was relatively calm, though an army statement said 50 to 60 militants died Sunday in various parts of the valley. Taliban fighters remained visible in Mingora.
Two soldiers also died in the latest fighting, including one who succumbed to injuries suffered Friday, the army said. The death tolls could not be confirmed independently, and some of the army's figures could not immediately be reconciled.
In the northwest district of Mardan, government official Khalid Umerzai said more than 100,000 displaced Pakistanis were expected Sunday, on top of 252,000 already there.
"Vehicles loaded with people are coming down bumper-to-bumper from Swat, and we are expecting a huge crowd of people and organizing two more relief camps in Mardan and Takhtbai," Umerzai said.
Before the latest operation, some 550,000 people were registered as displaced from past offensives in other parts of Pakistan's northwest, including the semi-autonomous tribal belt, according to the United Nations.
The international aid agency World Vision said its relief workers were finding "intolerable" conditions at some camps due to soaring temperatures, overcrowding, inadequate toilets and a lack of electricity.
"Despite the coordinated efforts of the Pakistani authorities, World Vision and other aid agencies on the ground, we may not be able to meet the most basic needs of the refugees as quickly as they are arriving in the camps if it continues at this pace," said Jeff Hall, an official with the aid group.
Many in the northwest have little faith in the weak civilian government's ability to help them, a challenge to Pakistan's leaders because disillusioned refugees could prove fertile recruiting ground for the Taliban. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed millions of dollars to help the residents of the region.
In his interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari brushed aside concerns that Pakistan's armed forces are still too focused on a potential threat from longtime rival India. He said the resources devoted to the fight against the Taliban — 135,000 troops in the northwest, he estimated — were "sufficient."
"It's a war of our existence," Zardari said.
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mehboob355 2 months ago
it's so terrible that people lives are so disrupted by such Farting
leewineo 1 year ago
NaPak Army should not forget how the refugees of East Pakistan fled due to their policies..
Bloody slaves of America these generals..Only Imran Khan can bring peace to Pakistan as wikileaks have confirmed he is the only one outside the influence of United Snakes..
nilo723 1 year ago
It is very saddening to see the clips about people fleeing Swat Valley. This is modern time and things such as that should not have happened. Salute to all the great people of Swat. We must unite in every stage and corner. We must unite whether politician, professinal such as teacher, engineer, doctor etc, military officer or soldier or ordinary citizen. We must unite to show the world that we are Swatis or Pukhtuns..:)
dagharsar 2 years ago
Islamic Republic Of Pakistan and would not expect all of that be coming from Military or any other war lords. For the majority living in Pakistan and Afghanistan, taking the current situation under consideration going on for years, the Pukhtun MUST UNITE? Unity might be the need of an hour for them to protect their rights on individual basis and in the state i.e Pakistan and Afghanistan. Jinnah in right time : Unity, Faith & Discipline for them? Future ...cooked up against them, probably?
dagharsar 2 years ago
[92] By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love; and whatever ye give, of a truth Allah knoweth it well.
amrana78 2 years ago
[91] As to those who reject Faith, and die rejecting, never would be accepted from any such as much gold as the earth contains, though they should offer it for ransom. For such is (in store) a penalty grievous, and they will find no helpers.
amrana78 2 years ago
FUCK PAK ARMY up the ass
fuckin bitches can't show any aggression against the drone attacks but have no problem killing its own ppl.
FUCKIN PUSSIES
SiNNer420 2 years ago
Long live PakistanLong live Pak Armydeath to Mullahs and Taliban..Kick the Talibs and Afghan out of every country in the world
lalapruza 2 years ago