Pakistan orders Afghan refugees to leave Bajaur region

07/10/2008 13:47:20

Pakistani authorities are expelling Afghan refugees from a tribal region that has become the main battleground between troops and fighters linked to the Taliban and al Qaeda.

Troops, backed by fighter planes and helicopter gunships, have killed more than 1,000 fighters in the Bajaur region since early August.

A Pakistani general last month described Bajaur as a new centre of gravity for militancy and said that if the security forces prevailed two-thirds of the militant problem in the region could be eradicated.

Afghan refugees were ordered last Thursday to leave the area within days or face a crackdown.

The government's top administrator in Bajaur, Safirullah Wazir says there will be no concessions and there are reports of their links with militants and their involvement in terrorist activities.

Around 200 Afghans from 30 families had left so far, but Mr Wazir says 30,000 remain in the region.

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