BANNU: Pakistan’s military launched a ground assault in the North Waziristan tribal area on Monday, beginning a new phase in its offensive against Taleban militants, after nearly half a million civilians fled the fighting.
Troops moved on Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan, around 9:30 a.m. (local time), officials said, after two weeks of air strikes and artillery bombardment of insurgent targets.
Washington has long urged Islamabad to tackle militant sanctuaries in North Waziristan, a haven for Pakistani Taleban and Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents.

Security officials in Miranshah told AFP troops moved on the town after six hours of artillery shelling.

“They are using tanks and armored vehicles for ground movement,” a security official said on condition of anonymity.

“The forces have also taken over the civil hospital in Miranshah and have destroyed four hideouts in the artillery firing.”

For half a million Pakistanis displaced by the military offensive, the prospect of fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid severe food shortages has sharpened anger toward the government.

Far from the comforts of home in their cool mountainous district, many displaced people are facing up to life in tent villages a few kilometers east of the region’s border.
Temperatures approach 50C and riots frequently break out over the lack of food supplies.

At a food distribution point in the town of Bannu, Niaz Wali Khan, a 55-year-old pharmacy owner, told AFP he had been queueing for four days but was turned away without rations each time.

“We are depressed over the role of the military who are responsible for our suffering,” said Khan. “They have launched this operation just before the Holy Month, but these militants were living here for years. Why now?“

But Khan vowed to adhere to the month of fasting required of observant Muslims, which began on Sunday in parts of Pakistan and Monday in others — despite the hurdles.

“We are facing extreme difficulties after the displacement but I will be fasting with a hope that God will solve our problems,” he said.

Others were less confident they would meet the challenge.

“We have spent all our money paying to rent vehicles to get here and for accommodation. Now it seems we will only have water left to break our fasts,” said 43-year-old Jalat Khan, who was also standing in line.

In addition to shunning food and water from dawn till dusk, many offer special prayers during the evening that require several hours to complete.

“For me, it will be difficult to take care of my prayers in this homelessness,” said Jalat Khan, echoing several others whom AFP spoke to on the issue.

Some doubted they would be able to complete the fast at all, which is mandatory for healthy adult Muslims, barring exemptions during travel, menstruation and pregnancy.

SOURCE: ARABNEWS.COM