Share this story!            

People stream out of Swat conflict zone

* Army asks residents to leave Imam Dheri, Chota Kalam, Kozabandi and Shakardara

PESHAWAR: Civilians again streamed out of their homes in the Swat valley on Friday, following evacuation orders from the military, officials told Daily Times.

Military helicopters dropped leaflets overnight to announce that the government would ease curfew restrictions in Kabal and Matta tehsils to allow residents to vacate their homes, a senior military official said.

The curfew was relaxed between 6am and 3pm. The military advised residents to leave Imam Dheri, Damaghar, Kozabandi, Chota Kalam, Ningolai and Shakardara.

“The decision has been taken after reports that militants fleeing Mingora are now hiding in these places,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were stopped from returning to their homes in Swat.

A United Nations official said relief supplies for the over two million IDPs could run out in weeks.

Meanwhile, AP reported that hundreds of IDPs were stopped from returning to their homes in Swat on Friday, even after the army chief said the battle against the Taliban had “decisively turned” in the military’s favour. staff report/agencies

Home | Main

Share this story!