The latest figures from the United Nations show 205,000 civilians have been displaced in the South Waziristan offensive. UN numbers tend to be somewhat lower than the actual numbers as many displaced stay with relatives and never register as IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).
The UN is estimating that only about 50,000 to 80,000 people are left in the areas which are the focus of Pakistan’s military offensive, but they expect that the displacements will increase going forward.
At the same time, the Pakistani Army has claimed to have killed another 42 people in South Waziristan, and retaken a security post which it was forced to abandon to the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) months ago.
The military has claimed to have killed well over 200 militants now since the offensive began two weeks ago, though that figure has been hotly contested by the TTP. Journalists are banned from the area, making independent verification of what exactly is going on impossible.
A war axiom — Collateral damage and displaced citizens
Cross border stiff.
They may have killed 200 militants, but how many have they created with their military assault?