Source: Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre Article found at: http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/news.nsf/(httpIDPNewsAlerts)/1B62167AB4ED3A12C12575A80058527C?OpenDocument#anchor2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAKISTAN: THOUSANDS FLEE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN BUNER DISTRICT Pakistani military operations against Taleban fighters in Buner district have led to thousands of civilians being displaced. Security forces, backed by artillery, attack helicopters and jet fighters, launched a large-scale operation against the militants in Buner on 28 April, targeting their suspected hideouts in different areas, and placing the whole district under curfew. Many civilians moved to safer places: Amnesty International estimates that more than 30,000 people have fled the violence, and are joining an estimated 500,000 Pakistanis already displaced by the conflict. The government move came in response to heavily-armed militants infiltrating Buner in April, taking over state buildings and setting up checkpoints across the district. In March, the parties signed a peace agreement to end a 16-month conflict in the nearby Swat Valley in exchange for the enforcement of Islamic law there. The militants have since attempted to expand their influence to the neighbouring districts of Lower Dir and Buner.

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