Taliban Shave Beards to Elude Pakistani Troops

Fighters get desperate as army routs militants in Swat stronghold
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted May 15, 2009 3:55 PM CDT
Taliban Shave Beards to Elude Pakistani Troops
Residents of Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, flee their home today.   (AP Photo)

Frantic Taliban fighters are shaving their notoriously full beards and hair as they flee the Swat valley to escape Pakistan’s military, which says it’s making inroads against the militants, Reuters reports. The military is asking civilians to expose Taliban fighters, but nearly 1 million residents have already escaped. About 925 militants have been killed since fighting began last week. (More Pakistan stories.)

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