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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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9

Taliban Shave Beards to Elude Pakistani Troops

Fighters get desperate as army routs militants in Swat stronghold

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(Newser) – Frantic Taliban fighters are shaving their notoriously full beards and hair as they flee the Swat valley to escape Pakistan’s military, which says it’s making inroads against the militants, Reuters reports. The military is asking civilians to expose Taliban fighters, but nearly 1 million residents have already escaped. About 925 militants have been killed since fighting began last week.

Residents of Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, flee their home today.
Residents of Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, flee their home today.   (AP Photo)
Young women who fled from fighting in the Swat Valley received bread in the Jalozai camp on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, May 15, 2009. Pakistan's army lifted its curfew in the battle-scarred Swat Valley on Friday, allowing thousands to flee as troops prepared for street-by-street battles with...
Young women who fled from fighting in the Swat Valley received bread in the Jalozai camp on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, May 15, 2009. Pakistan's army lifted its curfew in the battle-scarred...   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
A former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan speaks with the AP. Taliban members and supporters usually have long beards and many of them also have long hair.
A former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan speaks with the AP. Taliban members and supporters usually have long beards and many of them also have long hair.   (AP Photo)
Taliban fighters are shaving off their beards and trying to flee from a Pakistani army offensive in Swat.
Taliban fighters are shaving off their beards and trying to flee from a Pakistani army offensive in Swat.   (Shutter Stock)
Pakistan army soldiers patrol on a road to Pakistan's troubled Swat valley.
Pakistan army soldiers patrol on a road to Pakistan's troubled Swat valley.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Pakistan army soldiers patrol on a road to Pakistan's troubled Swat valley.
Pakistan army soldiers patrol on a road to Pakistan's troubled Swat valley.   (AP Photo)
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9 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 15, 09 4:07 PM CDT
Amazing how the infusion of a few thousand tons of military hardware can embolden even the most inept of armies. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
May 15, 09 4:57 PM CDT
Which leads me to say; this possibly could have been over and done with.
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2-bits
May 15, 09 11:09 PM CDT
What infusion are you referring to? Are you suggesting that Pakistan does not have sufficient military equipment?
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freethemall
May 15, 09 6:02 PM CDT
Just goes to show, you can't always judge a person by his appearance. The 9/11 conspirators also tried to blend in. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Rob
May 17, 09 7:52 PM CDT
So without a beard in Afghanistan is the same as without a beard in the United States? nuh uh
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+1

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