“Army commandos launched aggressive new search-and-destroy operations in the Swat Valley and several surrounding districts in the Taliban-plagued northwest Tuesday, Pakistani military officials said.

“On the fifth day of a major military offensive, army officials said they were making a concerted effort to wipe out the hideouts and supply bases of Islamist guerrilla forces, located mostly in unpopulated hilly areas. But officials said they had not begun a “hard-core urban fight” to dislodge the fighters from major towns in the region.

“Officials also said Tuesday that the number of people fleeing the conflict zone has topped 1 million and that more than 360,000 people have registered at 17 camps for newly displaced civilians in the past week.

WaPo

Now hold your breath until as much is spent on peace making, development and education….

“Doctors who have fled the region said the main hospitals in Swat are closed and that the wounded cannot be treated. Refugees and residents reached by phone said that Taliban troops are still patrolling the streets of Mingora, the main town in Swat, with no sign of official or army presence….”

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