Civilian crisis intensifies as Pakistan steps up offensive

PAKISTANI warplanes bombed suspected militant positions in a stronghold close to the capital yesterday, pressing ahead with a fierce offensive that has driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, many into crowded refugee camps.

The government claimed 700 insurgents had died and the Taliban were on the run.

In one camp in the town of Mardan, just south of the battle zone in a barren field, hundreds of displaced people lined up for hours to register with the UN to get tents, food and medical treatment.

“In this camp, I am not seeing anything that will give us much relief,” said a new arrival, Iftikiar Khan, fearing the facilities there were insufficient.

Like most of those fleeing, Khan said he ultimately hoped to stay with relatives.

The United Nations said 360,600 refugees had fled Swat and neighbouring Dir and Buner districts since operations began last week.

That number is on top of some 500,000 people displaced by past offensives – a major humanitarian challenge for the weak government that could test public support for the offensive.

Most of the refugees are staying with friends and relatives or in rented accommodation.

Islamabad’s tough military response has drawn praise from the US, which wants al-Qaida and Taliban militants rooted out from havens where they can plan attacks on American and Nato forces in Afghanistan as well as destabilise nuclear-armed Pakistan.

The military launched the offensive after the insurgents in Swat used a peace deal to impose their reign in other neighbouring areas, including a stretch just 100km from the capital, Islamabad.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said 700 militants had been killed around Swat in the last four days.

Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the army had cleared mines planted by insurgents in the region’s main town, Mingora.

“The operation will continue until the last Talib,” Malik said in Islamabad.

“We haven’t given them a chance. They are on the run. They were not expecting such an offensive.”

Malik’s casualty number – which exceeds those given by the military on Sunday by at least 200 – and his claims of success could not be independently verified.

The military is restricting access to the battlefields and many local journalists have also left.

The government has not given figures for civilian casualties, but accounts from refugees suggest they are significant.