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Residents told to flee Mingora, as Taliban takes hold
[ADN Kronos] Pakistani officials in the northern Swat valley on Tuesday asked residents to leave the Swat district's largest city, Mingora, and nearby towns as local Taliban demanded security forces to lay down their arms. On Monday Taliban militants took control of the city and reportedly laid seige to a building where 46 security officials were being housed.The district co-ordination officer in Swat, which is located in the North West Frontier Province, relaxed the local curfew between 1.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. local time, and said that residents of Mingora should immediately leave the district. On Monday, the Taliban took control of Mingora and reportedly laid siege to the building where the security personnel were based. "This is a clear violation of the Swat peace agreement," an anonymous official said. He said militants were patrolling the streets and holding key positions outside important buildings. Meanwhile, the United Nations says its agencies are increasing their humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan as tens of thousands of people flee clashes between the army and insurgents in the troubled North West Frontier Province. Working with the National Disaster Management Authority, UN agencies and their partners have started work on providing assistance to around 1,000 families escaping Buner and Dir districts to the Jalozai Camp, home to some 100,000 Afghan refugees before it was closed down last year. In preparation for another 5,000 families forced from their homes by fighting, two additional camps have been set up in NWFP's Mardan district and one in Swabi to give immediate assistance in the form of shelter,food,health and education. Clashes between security forces and militants were reported in several areas of NWFP including Shamozai, Matta and Bahrain. A group of armed Taliban stormed the Rahimabad police station in Mingora on Monday night and blew it up. Local sources said police had vacated the station just before the attack. Security forces have also established checkposts and started searching vehicles in the area. Shops and markets in the main Mingora bazaar remained closed for the second day because of fear and ongoing tension. According to a handout issued by the NWFP information department, the Taliban have continued their activities despite the peace accord recently signed with the government. Fighting has intensified in the mountainous region of NWFP where Taliban fighters began expanding their control after striking the deal with the authorities in February to impose Islamic Sharia law in several areas of the province including Swat. Posted by: Fred 2009-05-06 |
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