["As the police force is busy in rescue and relief work for flood affectees, militants tried to take advantage of the situation to attack Peshawar," said Peshawar
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| Vehicles loaded with people cross flooded streets in Muzaffargarh near |
Pakistan's flood nightmare could be a dream for the Taliban. As a fifth of the country battles the worst natural disaster in its history, Islamic insurgents have waged attacks on police and civilians, attempting to exploit Pakistan
"As the police force is busy in rescue and relief work for flood affectees, militants tried to take advantage of the situation to attack Peshawar," said Peshawar
Militia members were killed on their way to a mosque in Peshawar Pakistan
Officials fear militants also seek to target aid shipments in order to then distribute the goods and win support from the people. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the BBC the Taliban would not get their hands on the flood aid, but said the government was on alert for attacks.
U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson, however, down played those fears. "Stories about extremist organizations being the only players out there are greatly exaggerated," she said on Tuesday.
For three weeks, the country has been battling the deadly floods, which have killed roughly 1,500 people. Food shortages and disease outbreaks have officials concerned that up to 20 million people will be affected, and Pakistan
The U.N. estimates that 4.6 million people are still without shelter, despite efforts to hand out tents. Roads and bridges are destroyed throughout the region. Clean water and shelter are scarce.
Of the $459 million the U.N. has asked for, more than half has been sent, a spokesman said. The crisis has been deemed more severe than the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake in Haiti that devastated the Caribbean country in January, the U.N. said.
The militia members were killed on their way to a mosque in Peshawar Pakistan
With News Wire Services
