1 million people displaced by the conflict in Swat and its three neighbouring districts, though the western countries hailed the offensive as a major step in the fight against terrorism.

In response to the UN flash appeal for $452 million, the international community provided merely 42 percent of it.

The refugee crisis could turn into a major humanitarian crisis if some 85 percent of the uprooted were not hosted by the relatives and locals.

Rehabilitation and reconstruction would take years, but the first major concern for the people in Swat and nearby areas is security.

With main Taliban leaders, including Maulana Fazlullah, alive and regular guerrilla attacks on security forces, many fear that Taliban might reorganize and return forcefully.

This caused many families to hesitate and stay back at Jalozai Camp, where a total 14,000 families from Swat and adjoining areas are staying. Over 7,500 more families are from the tribal region along Afghan border which is also seeing fighting between Taliban and security forces.

The authorities had planned for the return of more than 2,000 families, but only 150 opted for going back from the Jalazaoi Camp. A few dozens more returned from other refugee camps.

'People are afraid. But we hope as soon as the first convoy safely reaches Swat, the other people in the (Jalozai) camp will be encouraged,' said Tahir Orakzai, a government official looking after the operations at the Jalozai Camp, which is in Nowshera district of North Western Frontier Province.

But army Colonel Nadeem Ahmed, who leads the troops guarding the camp, said that Taliban could even target the motor caravans of refugees as they move into Swat region, signalling that the fighting in the former popular tourist destination is far from over.

'I do not want to go home. There are Taliban. They first behead people and then, because of them, the military carries out bombardment at our homes,' Asia Yousafzai, 9, said as she looked up at a helicopter gunship flying over the camp.

'I studied in class three but Taliban blew up our school. I will go back when all Taliban are dead,' added Asia.