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Hundreds of Pakistanis Begin Returning to Swat


Some of the nearly two million Pakistanis displaced by fighting between the government and Taliban are heading home on the first day of an organized return to the battle-scarred Swat Valley.

Hundreds of families traveled Monday on government buses and army trucks from refugee camps located near Peshawar.

Officials say the displaced will return home in stages. But some are refusing to go back, saying they are fearful for their security and they have not received $300 in aid promised to them by the government.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Monday Pakistan will need $2.6 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

He described the anti-Taliban military offensive as successful. But local reports say Taliban militants are still active in the region and continue to intimidate residents.

Pakistan launched the offensive against Islamic militants in three northwestern districts in April after militants advanced to an area just 100 kilometers from the capital, Islamabad.

Pakistan says nearly 1,700 militants were killed in the offensive. That number has not been independently verified.

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