UNITED NATIONS: About 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have been displaced during the army operation against the TTP in North Waziristan and the United Nations is ready to help them.

UN Secretary General's spokesman Martin Nesriky told reporters at a briefing: “Although the Government of Pakistan has not requested international assistance so far, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is in contact with the authorities and is following the situation closely.”

He said some local non-government organisations are providing emergency aid including food supplies and medical assistance to the displaced.

The OCHA said its team in Afghanistan reported on Friday that more than 90 people have crossed from northern Pakistan into Afghanistan.