New Delhi: As the offensive against Taliban continues in Pakistan, the numbers of refugees too have increased manifold. Hundreds of civilians have reportedly fled from Peochar and Mingora in Swat Valley.
Military helicopters continue to pound Taliban hideouts in Swat. The Pakistan Army claims to have killed more than 700 militants, assuring no major civilian casualties. But UN estimates say nearly 8 lakh people have been displaced.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has called for more international aid for Pakistan's displaced.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are seeking shelter from fighting between the government and the Taliban. Many are being put in makeshift camps with bad infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the US is debunking Pakistan's claims of success in the war against the Taliban in Swat Valley.
Senior US intelligence officials were quoted by the respected Long War Journal as saying that Pakistan's claims of 700 Taliban killed are wildly exaggerated. The web-based journal, which covers the global war on terror reported the officials as saying: "This is like a bad movie we have all seen before. The Pakistani military levels large areas, claims success and thinks we'll be conned into believing it if they pump up the Taliban body counts."
The US assessment is that the Taliban are holding firm in Swat and are now attacking military convoys and bases in Mohmand, South Waziristan, Malakand and Mardan. Maulana Fazlullah's base in Peochar remains intact despite an army commando assault over two days ago.
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