Thousands of Pakistani villagers flee fighting
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.About 22,000 Pakistani villagers have fled a military operation in a tribal region near the Afghan border, with Islamist militants and soldiers killed and wounded in the fighting, officials said yesterday.
The offensive, involving aerial bombing, artillery and ground troops, began on 27 January in Mohmand district, said Roshan Khan Mehsud, a regional government representative. He said that nearly 100 insurgents had been killed so far, and there had been "some casualties" on the army side. The army bans reporters from the conflict zone and few aid groups operate in the hazardous terrain.
Pakistan's military have mounted several operations in the country's remote tribal regions bordering Afghanistan over the past three years, sending up to two million terrified residents fleeing their homes.
The army claims to have made decisive gains against the mostly Taliban insurgents, but many hundreds of thousands of residents have yet to return. Accounts of civilian casualties are numerous and militant attacks in Pakistan remain routine.
Mr Mehsud said the estimated 22,000 people displaced by the Mohmand operation were living in a government building, schools and three camps, away from the fighting. He said the United Nations was providing food, water and medical assistance to the people.
The US has been pushing Pakistan to take action against Taliban and al-Qa'ida hide-outs in the rugged northwest. It says much of the insurgency gripping Afghanistan and claiming the lives of US soldiers stationed there is planned and funded from the Pakistan side of the border.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments