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| Pakistan lifts Swat valley curfew | Pakistan lifts Swat valley curfew |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Pakistan's army has temporarily lifted the curfew in large parts of the Swat valley, to allow civilians to flee the intense fighting against the Taleban. | Pakistan's army has temporarily lifted the curfew in large parts of the Swat valley, to allow civilians to flee the intense fighting against the Taleban. |
| The curfew is being suspended for eight hours during the day, officials say. | The curfew is being suspended for eight hours during the day, officials say. |
| Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the army would be successful in clearing the area of the militants, who have largely been controlling it. | Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the army would be successful in clearing the area of the militants, who have largely been controlling it. |
| The UN says more than 800,000 people are living in harsh conditions in camps for those displaced by the fighting. | The UN says more than 800,000 people are living in harsh conditions in camps for those displaced by the fighting. |
| Thousands arrived after the curfew was eased at the weekend. | Thousands arrived after the curfew was eased at the weekend. |
| A further influx is expected on Friday as it is lifted in parts of the Swat valley from 0600 to 1400 (0100-0900GMT). | A further influx is expected on Friday as it is lifted in parts of the Swat valley from 0600 to 1400 (0100-0900GMT). |
| See a map of the region | See a map of the region |
| About 150,000 civilians are trapped in the main city, Mingora, with gas, electricity and food increasingly scarce, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says. | About 150,000 civilians are trapped in the main city, Mingora, with gas, electricity and food increasingly scarce, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says. |
| Residents told the AFP news agency that Taleban holding the city had mined roads and dug trenches around it. | |
| Mountain retreat | Mountain retreat |
| Up to 15,000 troops have now been deployed in the Swat valley and neighbouring areas to take on up to 5,000 militants. | Up to 15,000 troops have now been deployed in the Swat valley and neighbouring areas to take on up to 5,000 militants. |
| Military operations including artillery shelling of suspected militant hideouts in Swat and the neighbouring district of Lower Dir killed about 124 militants and left nine soldiers dead in the 24 hours before the curfew was relaxed, the army said. | Military operations including artillery shelling of suspected militant hideouts in Swat and the neighbouring district of Lower Dir killed about 124 militants and left nine soldiers dead in the 24 hours before the curfew was relaxed, the army said. |
| An influx of more internal refugees is expected with the curfew's suspension | An influx of more internal refugees is expected with the curfew's suspension |
| Pakistan's army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani visited troops on the frontlines - reportedly for the first time since the bombardment began. | Pakistan's army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani visited troops on the frontlines - reportedly for the first time since the bombardment began. |
| A new front was opened earlier this week by troops airlifted by army helicopters to Peochar, which is about 65km (40 miles) north-west of Mingora. | A new front was opened earlier this week by troops airlifted by army helicopters to Peochar, which is about 65km (40 miles) north-west of Mingora. |
| On Friday Gen Kayani will lead a closed-doors briefing for MPs on the ongoing operation in the Malakand region. | On Friday Gen Kayani will lead a closed-doors briefing for MPs on the ongoing operation in the Malakand region. |
| UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has warned that the plight of displaced people could spark further conflict. | UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has warned that the plight of displaced people could spark further conflict. |
| "If you are not able to cope with the challenges posed by overwhelming displaced... this population will become a huge factor of de-stabilisation," Mr Guterres said after visiting a camp for people displaced by the fighting. | "If you are not able to cope with the challenges posed by overwhelming displaced... this population will become a huge factor of de-stabilisation," Mr Guterres said after visiting a camp for people displaced by the fighting. |
| The UN has called for a massive and urgent injection of emergency humanitarian aid. | The UN has called for a massive and urgent injection of emergency humanitarian aid. |
| The Pakistani government began its offensive in the Swat valley in late April. | The Pakistani government began its offensive in the Swat valley in late April. |
| In February, it had signed a peace agreement with the Taleban there, allowing Sharia law to be enforced, in a move sharply criticised by Washington. | In February, it had signed a peace agreement with the Taleban there, allowing Sharia law to be enforced, in a move sharply criticised by Washington. |
| But the militants then expanded into neighbouring districts, prompting the government to abandon the peace deal. | But the militants then expanded into neighbouring districts, prompting the government to abandon the peace deal. |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |
| Have you been affected by the fighting in the region? Have you been displaced? Send us your comments and stories using the form below. | Have you been affected by the fighting in the region? Have you been displaced? Send us your comments and stories using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |