Tens of thousands of people have fled the volatile tribal area of Bajaur in Pakistan into neighboring Afghanistan to escape the heavy fighting progressing there between the Pakistani army and the Taliban militants, the UN's refugee agency said Monday.
The UN's High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that at least 20,000 people from over 600 families have fled northwest into Afghanistan's Kunar province, while some 300,000 others have fled east within Pakistan.
"In the last two weeks alone, over 600 Pakistani families have fled into Afghanistan," the UNHCR said. "While the vast majority of them are living with their relatives and friends, there are already some 200 families who live in the open air."
The UN refugee agency added that it believes that most of those who have fled the ongoing violence in Pakistan would return to their homes once the fighting there ends. It added that the welfare efforts of the refugees would be pushed if they fail to return to their homes before winter sets in.
Currently, the Pakistani military is involved in a massive anti-Taliban operation in the volatile in northwestern regions of the country after being blamed for not doing enough for stemming cross-border Taliban attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.
Pakistani military claims that its forces have killed over 2000 militants after it launched the anti-militant offensive two months ago in the country's restive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.