Kabul:  Nearly 4,000 Pakistani families have sought refuge in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province to avoid the ongoing conflict between security forces and militants in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal region, the UN said here Monday.

"More than 3,900 families have fled the fighting in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal region and are taking refuge in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan," the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.

These families (around 20,000 individuals) have sought refuge in the districts of Shigal, Marawara, Dangam and other parts of Kunar province, the statement said.

The Bajaur tribal region, close to Afghan border, has been the scene of fierce fighting between Pakistani troops and Taliban insurgents over the past couple of months.

According to media reports, thousands of militants have been killed in the conflict.

In the last two weeks alone, over 600 Pakistani families have fled into Afghanistan. While majority of them are living with their relatives and friends, around 200 families have no shelter, it said.

The Agency has been providing relief materials such as plastic sheets, blankets and lanterns, among others, to the displaced families, the statement said.

Source : IANS