Pakistan slams door on Taliban  Pakistan's government today
declared an end to peace initiatives with Taliban insurgents
controlling Swat , signalling the start of a major military
operation to drive the militants from the valley.  In a
televised address, prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the
army was being called into Swat, a tourist haven turned Taliban
stronghold, "to restore the honour and dignity of our homeland".
"We will destroy those elements who have destroyed the peace of
our people and our nation," he said.  The announcement, coming
after a day of fierce air bombardment against militant
positions, is expected to signal the start of a ground offensive
similar to the one already underway in neighbouring Dir and
Buner districts, where the army claims to have killed more than
200 militants in the past two weeks.  It will also exacerbate a
humanitarian crisis expected to affect more than one million
people. Tens of thousands have already fled Swat and the
government expects the total to reach 500,