By Alamzeb Khan

Islamabad: About thirty thousands people mostly women and children left their houses to save their lives as cross firing and heavy shelling continued since last night between security forces and Taliban led by radical cleric Molvi Fazlulla at Shamozai area, district swat in northern Pakistan. District Coordination Officer Swat Shaukat Ali Yousafzai said that 30 to 35 thousand people left the area in last 24 hours. However local sources say that more than 80 thousands people have migrated from the area during one week. The sources further added that these people left their houses in Charbagh, Manglawar, Gulibagh, Alabagh and Shamozo areas.

Earlier security forces backed by gunship helicopters and heavy artillery pounded hide outs of militants after making announcement on load speakers to inform residents of Shamozo to leave the area immediately.

Both the security forces and militants retaliate with light and heavy weapons, compelling the residents to vacate their houses in despair. The people left their houses, luggage and pet animals for a safe area.

Meanwhile militants siege and attacked a check post at Shomozo area followed by heavy firing from both side. Three militants and 5 security forces were reportedly killed during the clash. Beside security forces also bombarded militants’ hide outs at Zarkhela, Chongi and Gharhi areas. Another clash between the two parties held at picturesque Madain area of the district.

The recent clashes have made the whole area highly vulnerable and volatile and the local masses have no choices but to run away. Most of the people spent last night beneath open sky. Continued shelling and bombardment in the area has terrified the masses and most of the migrated people covered more than 20 kilometer distance on feet. During their migration a two year daughter of local Amir Zada passed away by just absorbing the terror of heavy shelling from security forces.

Other families experienced the same fate having no destination to reach where 10 other people have reportedly lost their lives.

The security forces are struggling against Taliban in the area for the last 15 months. But the recent 3^rd phase military operation named as RAHE HAQ (right path) begins last week seems a decisive one to rout out militancy from the area. However it is the local and innocent people of the area who suffered more and still the government has no such deadline to end this operation.

It is also worth mentioning that Taliban are still destroying schools along with other government buildings after their 15^th January 2009 deadline to ban education in the area. The number of deserted schools reached 188, including more than 100 for girls and according to a local resident bringing education back to the area will take at least 10 years. 

By Alamzeb Khan

Islamabad: About thirty thousands persons mostly women and children left their houses to safe their lives as cross firing and heavy shelling continued since last night between security forces and Taliban backed by radical cleric Molvi Fazlulla at Shamozai area, district swat in northern Pakistan. District Coordination Officer Swat said that 30 to 35 thousand people left the area in last 24 hours. However local sources say that more than 80 thousands people have migrated from the area since a week. The sources further added that these people left their houses in Charbagh, Manglawar, Gulibagh, Alabagh and Shamozo areas.

Earlier security forces backed by gunship helicopters and heavy artillery pounded hide outs of militants after making announcement on load speakers to inform residents of Shamozo to leave the area immediately.

Both the security forces and militants retaliate with light and heavy weapons, compelling the residents to vacate their houses in despair. The people left their houses along with their luggage and pet animals.

Meanwhile militants siege and attacked a check post at Shomozo area followed by heavy firing from both side. Three militants and 5 security forces were reportedly killed during the clash. Beside security forces also bombarded militants’ hide outs at Zarkhela, Chongi and Gharhi areas. Another clash between the two parties held at picturesque Madain area of the district.

The recent clashes have made the whole area highly vulnerable and volatile and the local masses have no choices but to run away. Most of the people spent last night beneath open sky. Continued shelling and bombardment in the area has terrified the masses and most of the migrated people covered more than 20 kilometer distance on feet. During their migration a two year daughter of local Amir Zada passed away by just absorbing the terror of heavy shelling from security forces.

Other families experienced the same fate having no destination to reach where 10 other people are reportedly lost their lives.

The security forces are struggling against Taliban in the area for the last 15 months. But the recent 3^rd phase military operation named as RAHE HAQ (right path) begins last week seems a decisive one to rout out militancy from the area. However it is the local and innocent people of the area who suffered more and still the government has no such deadline to end this operation.

It is also worth mentioning that Taliban are still destroying schools along with other government buildings after their 15^th January 2009 deadline to ban education in the area. The number of deserted schools reached 188, including more than 100 for girls and according to a local resident bringing education back to the area will take at least 10 years.