1 000s flee fighting in Pakistan

2008-10-14 16:11

Islamabad - Nearly 190 000 people are reported to have fled fighting between Pakistani troops and Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters near the border with Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

The UN's refugee agency said that number included more than 20 000 Pakistanis and Afghans who have fled into eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province since the fighting began in early August.

Pakistan says more than 1 000 militants have been killed in its offensive in the Bajur border region. It has not given a figure for civilian casualties.

Citing Pakistani statistics, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in a statement that 168 463 people had fled to other parts of northwestern Pakistan during the offensive. The agency said it was not able to independently confirm the figure.

It said most of the refugees on both sides of the border were staying with host families. The agency said it was helping those staying in several temporary camps in Pakistan.

The UNHCR said it has not seen a rise in Afghans returning to their homeland following an announcement by Pakistan that some 50 000 Afghans living in Bajur must return home by October 11.

Authorities said they suspected Afghans living in the region were helping the insurgents, and threatened to bulldoze their homes.

Militants in Bajur are blamed for rising attacks on US and Nato troops in Afghanistan and suicide bombings in Pakistan. The rugged, mountainous region is believed to be a possible hiding place for Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders.

- AP