Pakistan Army: street fighting

The Pakistan Army has been consolidating its position in the Swat Valley as the campaign against the Taleban enters a new phase.

More than 15000 security forces are taking part in the operation and have vowed to quell insurgency.

They are still trying to secure the main town of Mingora where the Pakistani military is reporting hand to hand fighting is taking place against Taleban militia.

Controlling Mingora is crucial to the success of the mission.

A military spokesman told a news conference: “

Meanwhile the fate of nearly two million people who have been fleeing the fighting is causing concern to aid agencies.

In the town of Mardan a school has become home to 250 families: all are relying on government food rations.

But many thousands more are left pretty much to their own devices to find shelter.

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tags: Conflict, Pakistan