Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

As Pakistan Shells Taliban, 500K Flee Swat

Military bombards densely populated areas; UN warns of crisis

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2009 6:55 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Refugees continue to flee the Swat Valley in Pakistan, reports the Guardian, where government forces battling resurgent Taliban militants have been conducting airstrikes in heavily populated areas. The government is preparing for up to 500,000 refugees in what the UN warns is becoming a humanitarian crisis. The Washington Post reports from a camp outside Islamabad, where refugees told of violence under the Taliban and erratic behavior by the government and military.

"I feel like I have lost my mind," says one refugee, recounting two years of living under Taliban abuses. Another man describes watching two Taliban fighters slit the throat of a policeman they dragged out of a truck. But the Pakistan government's back-and-forth efforts in the region, alternatively cutting deals with the Taliban and attacking them, have left citizens confused and unsure of whom to trust. Says one refugee, "The people were filled with great rage, and great fear."

Pakistani soldiers are seen on their way to Pakistan's troubled valley of Swat where government security forces are fighting with Taliban militants, Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
Pakistani soldiers are seen on their way to Pakistan's troubled valley of Swat where government security forces are fighting with Taliban militants, Wednesday, May 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Newly arrived refugees from Pakistan's troubled areas of Mingora and Buner in the Swat Valley, seen in a camp set up for people who fled fighting, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
Newly arrived refugees from Pakistan's troubled areas of Mingora and Buner in the Swat Valley, seen in a camp set up for people who fled fighting, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Newly arrived refugees from Pakistan's troubled areas of Mingora and Buner in the Swat Valley.
Newly arrived refugees from Pakistan's troubled areas of Mingora and Buner in the Swat Valley.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Helicopter gunships and mortar teams pounded militant strongholds, killing dozens outside emerald mines, the military said.
Helicopter gunships and mortar teams pounded militant strongholds, killing dozens outside emerald mines, the military said.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Taliban reinforcements have poured down from mountain hide-outs and seized homes and government buildings.
Taliban reinforcements have poured down from mountain hide-outs and seized homes and government buildings.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Local people of Pakistan's troubled areas of Mingora and Buner queue for food in a camp set up for people who fled from fighting between Taliban militants and government security forces.
Local people of Pakistan's troubled areas of Mingora and Buner queue for food in a camp set up for people who fled from fighting between Taliban militants and government security forces.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Residents of Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, flee the city, Thursday, May 7, 2009.
Residents of Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, flee the city, Thursday, May 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Naveed Ali)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Zardari, Obama, and the crisis in Swat
IBNLive (India)

'I don't want to die. I want to live for my wife and my baby'
Dawn (Pakistan)

 
Taliban • Pakistan • refugee camp • refugee • airstrike • Pakistan military • Swat Valley

More Newser Stories

US, Afghanistan, Taliban: Secret Talks Under Way

US Kills Taliban Commander With al-Qaeda Ties

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

US-Taliban Talks Stumble

Pakistan Cans Defense Minister
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne