Posted on 05/17/2009 9:40:49 AM PDT by nickcarraway
The Pakistani government urged on Sunday people stranded in Swat to flee whenever they get a chance, as security forces battled Taliban militants in one of their strongholds in the valley.
More than 1,000 militants had been killed in the offensive in Swat, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik told reporters.
There was no independent confirmation of the toll.
The military has reported a similar toll for the militants and has said 48 soldiers have been killed.
The offensive in the one-time tourist valley, 130 km northwest of Islamabad, has also forced at least 1.17 million people from their homes, the UN refugee agency said.
It has urged the world to respond 'massively' to the humanitarian crisis.
The Taliban hold Mingora, Swat's main town, and many civilians are believed to be still there.
'I appeal to the people of Mingora and other parts which are under aggression, as soon as they get an opportunity, the curfew is relaxed, they should come out,' Malik said.
Malik also said the security forces were hunting for the leaders of the Taliban in Swat.
'Those leaders, those commanders, who are controlling the Taliban, obviously we're going to hit them. We're not going to spare them,' he said. 'You'll hear good news soon.'
About 15,000 members of the security forces are fighting between 4,000 and 5,000 militants in Swat, the military says.
The military says it has inflicted no civilian casualties as soldiers have been attacking militants in the mountains, not in built-up areas where there are civilians. But it has said it will go after the Taliban in Mingora and other towns.
Military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas said security forces had moved into the town of Matta, where the Taliban leader in the valley, Fazlullah, was believed to be hiding.
Abbas said he had no details of the fighting in Matta. Swat residents said some civilians were still in the town.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said on Saturday the flood of people who have poured out of Swat was one of the most dramatic displacement crises in the world in recent times.
The United Nations has registered 1.17 million people, though many are believed not to have bothered to register. They are joining about 565,000 displaced by earlier fighting in the northwest.
Malik, while urging people to flee from Swat's main town, said displaced people could return to some other areas in the valley that troops had cleared. The military offensive against Taliban fighters in the northwest Pakistan has killed more than 1,000 militants, a top official said on Sunday after visiting a relief camp hosting thousands of people displaced by the battle.
Malik told a news conference in Mardan that a few pockets of resistance remain in Swat, urging internally displaced people to return home in areas up to Khawaza-khela.
He said the security forces have also brought Buner and Lower Dir district under control and will try to complete the operation as soon as possible.
He said that talks are possible if the Taliban lay down arms but their commanders will not be spared. The military has warned that some militants are trying to flee as well, some after shaving off their beards to blend in with the refugees.
“More than 1000 militants” killed probably means 5 or 6, who stumbled on their way out and sprained their ankles.
I notice he is calling for more refugees, which seems to be the main point of the exercise. It’s now officially a “humanitarian crisis,” which means US taxpayers have to pay big bucks to the politicians who caused it.
He’s not known as Mr. 10% for nothing.
I’m entirely skeptical of these high KIA figures.
lots of skeptics out there re: bodycount.
There is some significant number .. obviously more is necessary.
FoR Now.. The Smoke the TaliBunny Lamp is Lit!
That one sentence declares that any claims by the Pakistani related to "enemy killed" is pure unadulterated bull squat..
The only characteristics of a Pakistani than one can rely upon (in my experience), it that he will lie and betray..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.