About 22,000 people have fled the Mohmand tribal region of northwest Pakistan after the military launched an operation there last month to flush out Taliban fighters, officials said today.
The military operation has forced 14,700 people to flee their homes in the semi-autonomous tribal region bordering Afghanistan, an official of the local political administration told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Other officials put the figure of displaced people at nearly 22,000.
"Many more residents of Mohmand Agency are leaving their homes as the security forces have intensified the operation that began on January 27," the official of the political administration said.
The military has used combat aircraft, heavy artillery and ground forces to target militants in Saafi, Khwezai, Pindyali and Ambar areas of Mohmand Agency.
Nearly 100 militants have been killed so far, officials said.
There have been reports of casualties among the security forces and civilians but this could not be independently confirmed.
The political administration has set up two relief camps at Nahqi and Danish Kol for the displaced people. The homeless are being provided food and basic necessities by the local authorities and the UNHCR.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement today that the influx of people displaced by the military operation in Mohmand Agency is "rapidly rising".
A total of 2,771 families were registered in the two relief camps today.
"Food, shelter and sanitation are the most needed responses for the internally displaced population. With around 6,000 displaced families expected, the situation is likely to worsen in the next few weeks," the statement said.
UNOCHA said humanitarian workers were also facing difficulties in obtaining "no objection certificates" from authorities to access areas in the conflict zone.
This is the latest offensive launched by the Pakistani military in the volatile tribal region, where troops have battled Taliban fighters for the past three years.
The military has said it is hopeful that the displaced people in Mohmand Agency will be able to return to their homes soon.
