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Swat exodus as ceasefire crumbles Swat exodus as ceasefire crumbles
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of civilians are reported to be fleeing their homes in Pakistan's Swat valley where a peace deal with the Taleban looks increasingly fragile.Thousands of civilians are reported to be fleeing their homes in Pakistan's Swat valley where a peace deal with the Taleban looks increasingly fragile.
Officials say that more than 40,000 people have so far fled from clashes between the army and militants in Swat.Officials say that more than 40,000 people have so far fled from clashes between the army and militants in Swat.
Fighting broke out on Tuesday night in Mingora, the main town in Swat, where the Taleban occupied key buildings and defied a curfew, officials say.Fighting broke out on Tuesday night in Mingora, the main town in Swat, where the Taleban occupied key buildings and defied a curfew, officials say.
Bedraggled men, women in burkas and children are all now fleeing the area.Bedraggled men, women in burkas and children are all now fleeing the area.
See a map of the region See a map of the region
"More than 40,000 have migrated from Mingora since Tuesday afternoon," Khushhal Khan, chief administration officer in Swat, told the AFP news agency."More than 40,000 have migrated from Mingora since Tuesday afternoon," Khushhal Khan, chief administration officer in Swat, told the AFP news agency.
The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government is now rushing to provide shelter for 500,000 people they expect to flee Swat over the next few days.The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government is now rushing to provide shelter for 500,000 people they expect to flee Swat over the next few days.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says that camps are being set up with UN help to look after people who cannot stay with relatives.The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says that camps are being set up with UN help to look after people who cannot stay with relatives.
However our correspondent says that the army has not yet launched the offensive that most are now expecting.However our correspondent says that the army has not yet launched the offensive that most are now expecting.
The renewed tension in Swat comes before US President Barack Obama meets President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan in Washington.The renewed tension in Swat comes before US President Barack Obama meets President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan in Washington.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that the events in Swat have come full circle since a peace agreement was signed with militants earlier this year.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that the events in Swat have come full circle since a peace agreement was signed with militants earlier this year.
Last week the government set up higher Islamic courts in the Malakand region - of which Swat is a part - to meet a key demand of the militants.Last week the government set up higher Islamic courts in the Malakand region - of which Swat is a part - to meet a key demand of the militants.
But the government's appeals to the militants to disarm - which they say was agreed in the peace agreement - have fallen on deaf ears.But the government's appeals to the militants to disarm - which they say was agreed in the peace agreement - have fallen on deaf ears.
Meanwhile a tribal peace committee involving Maulana Sufi Mohammad - a local cleric who negotiated peace between the government and militants in Swat - is due to meet at his village in the Maidan area of Lower Dir district.Meanwhile a tribal peace committee involving Maulana Sufi Mohammad - a local cleric who negotiated peace between the government and militants in Swat - is due to meet at his village in the Maidan area of Lower Dir district.
Sufi Mohammad has recently courted controversy by declaring democracy as anti-Islamic and by rejecting the government-appointed judges to the newly-established Islamic high courts in Malakand.Sufi Mohammad has recently courted controversy by declaring democracy as anti-Islamic and by rejecting the government-appointed judges to the newly-established Islamic high courts in Malakand.
Correspondents say that there is also unrest in Lower Dir following last week's military action to prevent the spread of Taleban there.Correspondents say that there is also unrest in Lower Dir following last week's military action to prevent the spread of Taleban there.
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