Afghan villages abandoned before Nato-led operation

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Hundreds of villagers living in a Taliban-controlled area of southern Afghanistan are leaving before a major Nato-led offensive gets under way, reports BBC.
It is expected to be one of the largest counter-insurgency operations since the Afghan conflict began in 2001.
The operation to clear insurgents from the southern town of Marja, in Helmand province, is expected to begin soon.
The UK defence secretary has warned of likely casualties within coalition troops during the offensive.
"Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations," Bob Ainsworth said late on Sunday.
"This is not in any way a safe environment and it doesn't matter how much kit and equipment we provide for people. We can never entirely make these operations risk-free," he added.
Operation Mushtarak -- which means 'Together' in the Pashtun language of southern Afghanistan -- is expected to be launched within the next few days.
The British general in overall command of the operation, Maj Gen Nick Carter, said this offensive would be different from previous operations.
In the past coalition forces have driven out the Taliban but then had too few troops to maintain security for the local population.
For the first time, Gen Carter said, Afghan forces would be at the forefront of planning the operation, before being followed up by the introduction of large numbers of newly trained police supported by the coalition.