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Refugee Tally Hits 1.3M as Pakistan Plans Ground Strike

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted May 10, 2009 7:13 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Pakistani forces told more residents of Swat Valley to flee during a 9-hour lull in fighting today, sparking an even greater migration that is snarling roads and deepening a humanitarian crisis, the Guardian reports. A quarter million refugees have now registered for help, bringing the homeless tally to 1.3 million in North West Frontier province. One aid groups called conditions "intolerable" in six new refugee camps.

Meanwhile, militants took advantage of the lull to entrench their positions against an anticipated Pakistani ground assault. The army says 12,000 to 15,000 troops are positioned to strike up to 5,000 Taliban militants in Swat. US General David Petraeus called the Taliban a threat "to the very existence of the Pakistani state" but denied that Washington would put "combat boots on the ground."

Local residents flee from Mingora, the main town of Pakistan troubled Swat Valley, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Local residents flee from Mingora, the main town of Pakistan troubled Swat Valley, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo)
A man internally displaced from Swat Valley receives a sack of wheat flour as other wait their turn at a relief camp in Mardan, Pakistan Sunday, May 10, 2009.
A man internally displaced from Swat Valley receives a sack of wheat flour as other wait their turn at a relief camp in Mardan, Pakistan Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Pakistani men line up to register at a refugee camp at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Pakistani men line up to register at a refugee camp at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Map details and locates the Swat Valley in the Malakand region of Pakistan.
Map details and locates the Swat Valley in the Malakand region of Pakistan.
A man internally displaced from Swat Valley carries a sack of wheat flour as other wait their turn at a relief camp arranged a Pakistani political party in Mardan, Pakistan Sunday, May 10, 2009.
A man internally displaced from Swat Valley carries a sack of wheat flour as other wait their turn at a relief camp arranged a Pakistani political party in Mardan, Pakistan Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Supporters of a Pakistani religious group 'Jamaat-e-Islami' march, during a rally against the suspected U.S. drones attacks in the tribal areas, Sunday, May 10, 2009, in Lahore, Pakistan.
Supporters of a Pakistani religious group 'Jamaat-e-Islami' march, during a rally against the suspected U.S. drones attacks in the tribal areas, Sunday, May 10, 2009, in Lahore, Pakistan.   (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Local residents flee from Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Local residents flee from Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Children crowd a car to get free sweets at a refugee camp near Mardan, in northwest Pakistan, Saturday, May 9, 2009.
Children crowd a car to get free sweets at a refugee camp near Mardan, in northwest Pakistan, Saturday, May 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Pakistani women walk past tents at a refugee camp at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Pakistani women walk past tents at a refugee camp at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
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Taliban • Pakistan • refugee camp • Pakistan army • Swat Valley

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