Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 18, 2009

Pakistani PM: Troops to Stay in NW Until Displaced Return Home
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=24512AA:A6F02AD83191E160C2E8ABEB2015299570AD7039DCD7B7E4&
 
Gilani says military campaign against Taliban progressing 'very
successfully' 
Pakistani PM Yousuf Gilani discusses military operation in Swat Valley
in Islamabad 18 May 2009Pakistan's prime minister said troops will stay
in the northwest until more than one million people who have fled
fighting between the army and Taliban militants return home. Yousuf Raza
Gilani said the military campaign against Taliban fighters in Swat is
progressing "very successfully." He said militants are fleeing the
combat area in disguise. Mr. Gilani pledged that security forces will
stay in the region until peace is restored and people are back in their
homes. He made the remarks Monday to an all-parties conference in the
capital, Islamabad. The United Nations refugee agency estimates the
military operation in the northwest has caused nearly 1.5 million people
to flee their homes this month. A Pakistani interior ministry spokesman,
Qamar Saman Kaira, reiterated Monday that the military has been ordered
to avoid civilian casualties, and he said displaced people will be
compensated for their losses. Pakistan's military said troops are
closing in on Swat's main town of Mingora. Military spokesman Major
General Athar Abbas said 27 fighters were killed Monday, including three
top Taliban commanders. He said several members of the security forces,
including an officer, were killed, and 17 soldiers injured. 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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