The lost valley: Swat in pictures (Part 1)

[LahoreEstate]

Once frequented by tourists for its snow-capped mountains, the Swat valley is now rocked by a violent campaign for Sharia law waged by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah, who has links to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. Fazlullah’s followers have blown up at least 173 schools, 105 of them for girls, since security forces launched an operation in the region in 2007. Here’s a look at some of the images that have come out of the Swat Valley in the last six months, presented in chronological order.


KABAL: Local residents gather at the destroyed house of a brother of a provincial ruling party lawmaker after it was hit by a rocket on Aug 25, 2008. The attack killed ANP MPA Waqar Ahmed Khan’ brother, two nephews and five others. AFP


MINGORA: Residents of Mingora, the main town in Swat, gather at a main intersection of the city to protest against long hours of curfew and the lack of civic facilities like, gas, water, food supplies, etc. on Sept 23, 2008. At least six people — including a 12-year-old boy — were killed and a bank set on fire in subsequent rioting. Police said militants bombed Swat's electricity station and gas line supplying the town the previous week. AP/Sherin Zada


MINGORA: A a view of a police building destroyed by a suicide bomber on Nov 6, 2008 in Pakistan. A suicide car bomber rammed his vehicle into a checkpoint manned by security forces near a police compound, killing at least two paramilitary troops and wounding at least 20 other people, officials said. AP/Sherin Zada



MINGORA: Local residents recite the holy Quran as part of their prayers for peace, Nov 13, 2008. AP/Sherin Zada



MINGORA: Troops patrol in Mingora, which serves as the military’s main headquarters for the Swat Valley, Nov 16, 2008. AP/Sherin Zada


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