ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 6 (UPI) -- Thousands of citizens fled Pakistan's Swat Valley as government forces fought Taliban militants, a local official said.
An estimated 40,000 people left the city of Mingora in northwest Pakistan after local officials issued an evacuation order for the area because of the fighting, CNN reported.
The latest wave of violence came as Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was in Washington for talks with President Barack Obama and other U.S. leaders.
About 500,000 civilians were expected to flee the area ahead of an anticipated government military offensive in the region dominated by the Taliban, officials estimated.
The government ordered the evacuations in anticipation of the push, and banned the use of motorcycles, commonly used by the militants, CNN reported.
Dr. Lal Noor Afridi said at least 18 people in the town of Saidu Sharif were wounded in a crossfire between Taliban militants and government forces.
"I can hear shooting all around," Afridi told CNN. "The Taliban are in the streets."
A deputy inspector was killed during a gunfight at the town's police station, a local official said.
Pakistani troops fought Taliban militants for two weeks in Buner and Lower Dir, two districts bordering the Swat Valley.
