[Islamabad, IRIN] As fighting in Pakistan’s northern areas intensifies, about 2,800 families from the tribal area of Bajaur are reported to have crossed into neighboring Afghanistan. Most are believed to be based in the Kunar province of Afghanistan, along Pakistan’s western border. AFP quoted Afghanistan’s deputy refugees’ minister, Abdul Qader Ahadi, as confirming they had entered Afghanistan after "they escaped fighting between Pakistani Taliban and the security forces." He told the news agency most were women and children. Each family comprises about 20 people on average. Pakistan’s autonomous Human Rights Commission (HRCP) this month put the number of people displaced by conflict in Bajaur, Swat, Waziristan and other northern areas at 700,000. HRCP has estimated at least 2,000 civilian deaths over the past year due to conflict. Meanwhile, angry protests broke out on 23 September in Mingora – a city in the Valley of Swat, some 150km north-east of the North West Frontier capital, Peshawar – as thousands of people protested against the suspension of power, gas and water, mainly due to rebel attacks on installations.