Pakistani officials say the military offensive against Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants in the northwest has displaced about one million people.
Federal Minister Abdul Qadir, who is supervising relief operations, told VOA Tuesday that nearly everyone who left their homes in the North Waziristan tribal area has been registered. He said the verification phase will begin next to determine the exact number of internally-displaced people and where they are, so that aid can be distributed to them.
Pakistan's military began the North Waziristan operation a month ago to eliminate longstanding militant strongholds in the region, which borders Afghanistan. The military said more than 440 militants and more than 25 soldiers have been killed since the offensive began.
On Tuesday, the military said three Pakistani soldiers and seven militants were killed in a gunbattle in or around the town of Mir Ali.
