Pakistan began a long-awaited military offensive aimed at eliminating Taliban militants from their stronghold in the North Waziristan tribal district last week, following a brazen attack on the country's busiest airport in Karachi.
The operation, involving air strikes, tanks and heavy artillery has forced the exodus of more than 400,000 people, mainly to the nearby town of Bannu just outside the tribal zone.
It has left nearly 280 militants dead, according to the army, but the figure cannot be independently verified.
"We have made all necessary arrangements, which are enough to cater to ration needs of 15,000 families on daily basis," he said.
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Around 2,000 people had gathered at a local football ground where the food centre was set up to wait for the first consignment of trucks.
They later scuffled with police when distribution was delayed by several hours, who fired in the air to disperse the protestors.
"The authorities should set up more distribution points as it will be difficult for the displaced persons to wait for their turn in scorching heat," he said.
According to a government spokesman, a total of 404,819 people have so far left North Waziristan after the start of the military offensive.
Meanwhile influential warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur held talks with a tribal jirga, or council, in North Waziristan where he repeated a threat to join forces with the Taliban if the offensive continued.