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Swat exodus as ceasefire crumbles Swat exodus as ceasefire crumbles
(about 1 hour 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.
At least nine people have been killed in the latest Swat fighting, they say.At least nine people have been killed in the latest Swat fighting, they 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
Army helicopters gunships have pounded emerald mines in the Shahdara area, near Mingora, which are being operated by the militants. Army helicopter gunships have pounded emerald mines in the Shahdara area, near Mingora, which are being operated by the militants.
The army claims to have killed several militants in this attack, but there is no independent confirmation of their claims.The army claims to have killed several militants in this attack, but there is no independent confirmation of their claims.
Local people and journalists say five civilians who lived in a settlement near the mine also died in the attack, while many others were injured in a separate air strike.Local people and journalists say five civilians who lived in a settlement near the mine also died in the attack, while many others were injured in a separate air strike.
While civilians strive to flee Mingora and its adjoining areas, some are reported to be trapped by the fighting - in which both sides have been using heavy weapons - and the curfew. While civilians strive to flee Mingora and its adjoining areas, some are reported to be trapped by the fighting and the curfew.
Three members of a single family were killed when a mortar fell on their home in Mingora's Bacha Saib locality during one of these battles, officials say.Three members of a single family were killed when a mortar fell on their home in Mingora's Bacha Saib locality during one of these battles, officials say.
ShelterShelter
Locals say the army continues to rely on long range weapons and artillery to target the militants, but the Taleban have complete control on the ground.Locals say the army continues to rely on long range weapons and artillery to target the militants, but the Taleban have complete control on the ground.
The Taleban and Swat's emeraldsThe Taleban and Swat's emeralds
They say the militants have mined the area they control and entrenched themselves for a long battle.They say the militants have mined the area they control and entrenched themselves for a long battle.
"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 NWFP Information Minster, Mian Iftikhar, said that the breakdown of the peace deal rested solely with the Taleban.
"They are entirely responsible for the situation today," he told a crowded news conference in Peshawar.
"The government went to great lengths to resolve the matter through dialogue.
"This was despite great international pressure to take action against the militants.
"But they refused to lay down their arms and continued patrols in the (Swat) valley, despite the implementation of Sharia law.
Mr Iftikhar also accused the Taleban of attacking military convoys and kidnapping government officials.
'Fitting reply'
Taleban spokesman Muslim Khan responded by claiming that the militants control "more than 90%" of Swat.
He blamed the latest deaths on the security forces.
"If the government launches an operation against us we will give them a fitting reply, which it will remember for a long time," he told the AFP news agency.
It is now the duty of the government to take action against the Taleban NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar
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.
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. Correspondents say that there is also unrest in the Lower Dir area of north-west Pakistan following last week's military action to prevent the spread of Taleban there.
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.
Are you in the Swat valley? Are you affected by the fighting? Will you be trying to flee the area? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the Swat valley? Are you affected by the fighting? Will you be trying to flee the area? Send us your experiences using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions