"“Everyone was running from here to there to get transport. Through there were a few vehicles owned by local people they were useless because of the curfew as all main roads are closed for traffic,” he added.

“All had to travel on feet to reach here, with women carrying their kids and men carrying their belongings on their heads and shoulders.”

Khan said the journey was difficult.

“We would rest for a few minutes after every two to three hours as we could not risk our lives due to the bombings and artillery shelling.”

The UN Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says that around 250,000 out of South Waziristan’s total population of 800,000 left.

However, independent sources believe 60 percent of the populace has been displaced in the new operation."