In These New Times

PressTV

25th May, 2009

Military operations supported by the US in northwestern Pakistan have displaced nearly 2.4 million people, the UN and government officials has said.

Heavy strikes on the region by Pakistan’s military and also air strikes by the US drones have taken a heavy toll, killing many civilians in the region. 

“In the new influx, 2.38 million people have been registered,” Ariane Rummery, spokeswoman for the UNHCR (The UN High Commissioner for Refugees) said. 

Pakistan’s Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has also acknowledged that 2.3 million people have been displaced, noting that the numbers could further increase. 

Rights groups have warned that it is Pakistan’s biggest movement of people since its separation from India in 1947. 

Pakistan claims more than 1000 militants and 50 soldiers have been killed in a three-week conflict against militants in the country. However, there are also reports suggesting that civilians are the main victims of the army-militant conflict. 

The militants have neither confirmed nor denied the claims.