250,000 Pakistani refugees expected in camp

[David]

AP


WASHINGTON – Up to a quarter-million Pakistani civilians are expected to remain in refugee camps through the end of the year as a result of fighting between Pakistani forces and insurgents that has forced them from their homes, a top U.S. Navy official said Wednesday.

Rear Adm. Michael A. LeFever, who is overseeing humanitarian aid to Pakistan, estimated that militants are within 30 kilometers, or about 18 miles, of the refugee camps. He said the Pakistani army has set up roadblocks and other barriers to prevent the Taliban or other extremists from threatening the camps in northwest Pakistan.

He said a registration effort by Pakistani officials have discovered a few people of "questionable background" who are seeking aid.

The U.S. military flew two planeloads of meals and tents to Islamabad on Wednesday for the refugees. A third flight is expected Thursday.

LeFever said Pakistani military officials estimate up to 2 million refugees who will need aid. He estimated between 200,000 and 250,000 of them will be living in camps through December.