Photo Essay: Pakistan’s New Homeless

Pakistan has engaged in its own ‘war on terror’ against Islamist militants in the northwest part of the country. The collateral damage: at least 450,000 Pakistanis forced from their homes.

Forced out: After the U.S.-led toppling of the Taliban in Afghanistan, many Taliban and al Qaeda extremists fled for safe haven in Pakistan’s northwest tribal belt. For the past two years, Pakistani security forces have engaged in bitter fighting to rid the area of Islamist militants. In the process, though, innocent civilians have paid the price. At least 450,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, often ending up in camps. Above, Pakistanis escaping conflict in the northwest Bajaur area carry relief goods at the Kacha Gari refugee camp near Peshawar on Dec. 7, 2008.

Photo: TARIQ MAHMOOD/AFP/Getty Images

Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009 to 2016 and was an FP assistant editor from 2007 to 2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP

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