Pakistan: 200 Taliban die in 24 hours

By Latoyia Kimbrough
An article on CNN states that in Islamabad, Pakistan as many as 200 Taliban militants have been killed in the past day by Pakistani forces.CNN reporters could not verify the account because journalists are barred from the region. The military blamed the Taliban for injuring civilians as the offensive entered its third week because the Pakistani forces placed improvised explosive devices in streets and roads. The military issued a curfew on the area to allow civilians to flee the fighting but the United Nations refugee agency warned that a massive displacement of civilians is happening because of the military’s curfew. The United Nations High Commissioner reports that in the last few days an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Pakistanis have fled the military operation and another 300,000 Pakistanis were on the move or expected to flee the fighting. It was also reported that at least two soldiers were killed on last Sunday and another died of wounds he suffered on last Friday. The military claims that it has been killing the Taliban militants but has not given any evidence to prove this and journalist have not been allowed in the region so there is no way to check the reports of the military. Many fear that this fighting is threatening the stability of Pakistan who is a key U.S. ally.