Taliban militants in Pakistan are holding thousands of civilians as human shields against an offensive near Islamabad, Pakistan’s army says.
The military sources said on Monday that militants were holding 2,000 villagers near a Sufi shrine in the northwestern Buner district, about 62miles (100km) from the capital, Islamabad.
The militants captured Buner district and the Lower Dir district around two weeks ago. The presence of insurgents near the capital has mobilized the army.
DG Military Major Gen Athar Abbas said people had been trapped in these areas and facing difficulties due to activities of Taliban.
Replying to a question, he said from the government side the peace agreement was still intact and it wanted the process to go ahead without further bloodshed.
Military offensives were intensified after the Taliban violated a peace deal with the government and announced plans to infiltrate into Islamabad and other major cities across the country.
Local media reported that dozens of civilians have lost their lives in the battles between the troops and insurgents in the troubled region so far.
Around 50,000 people also fled the volatile district to the nearby areas where the Red Cross has set up dozens of makeshift hospitals and refugee camps.
Violence in Pakistan has claimed the lives of thousands of people, including civilians and soldiers, since the country joined the US-led ‘war on terror’.
Pakistan People Party (PPP)-led government, under pressure from Washington, has vowed to flush out the militants who seek to take over the state of Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik Monday said that the country is undergoing crisis at the moment and the worst threat is growing Talibanization. Talking to OneWorld he said the people of Pakistan are moderate, liberal and democratic while Taliban are presenting wrongful picture of Islam. He said Pakistan is up against internal threats and urged people to play their due role to tackle the problems of the country.
The Interior Minister said the soil of Afghanistan is being used against Pakistan,adding both the countries must evolve a common strategy to fight the menace of extremism and terrorism.
Press TV-APP
