Residents flee southern Afghan district
Updated
Thousands of people have reportedly fled their homes in a southern Afghan district out of fear they may be caught up in NATO strikes against Taliban militants.
The mass exodus from Garmser, a remote district in Helmand province, comes as NATO-led troops hunt Taliban militants and their allies.
The operation began two weeks ago and is being led by US marines and the British military.
Coalition forces say Garmser is a rebel gateway into Afghanistan from neighbouring Pakistan, where extremist rebels are said to have bases.
