The Nato supply through Torkham in the Khyber district remained suspended for the sixth day as around 200 tankers and containers are queued at the border point. Khasadars and security forces are providing security to the stranded containers packed with Nato supplies near border areas. But the owners of the containers and tankers showed their unhappiness over the security arrangements within the country.
They asked the government to sort out the difference with Nato and decide on the date for re-opening of the route. They said as non-Nato key alliance in war against terror, government in general is responsible for the security of supply convoys to Afghanistan. President Khyber Transport Association, Shakir Ullah Afraidi said, "We are not happy with the security arrangements provided by the government and private security companies as 54 trucks and tankers have been burnt since Eid-ul-Azha".
He said although Nato provides money to private contractors for security cover but this cover is only for missing or stealing goods on their route to Afghanistan. "We are facing constant threat from Taliban and anti-Nato groups", he added. In a new development, CPO Rawalpindi Muhammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan in a press conference on Tuesday said under the public safety act, city administration has placed a ban on illegal parking of those trucks and oil-tankers in open areas which carry goods for Nato. He said the contractors must take permission in advance for passage or parking of their vehicles in Rawalpindi.
Senior police officer further said the decision has been taken after incident on Sunday. At least a dozen gunmen opened fire on tankers on the outskirts of Islamabad on last Sunday, killing three guards. They then set fire to 13 vehicles. A news agency quoted the Taliban militants who claimed responsibility for the oil attacks on tankers in various parts of country. "Our mujahideen have carried out this attack. We will continue such attacks all over the country to avenge drone attacks and attacks by foreign forces inside Pakistani territory," Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq said.
Pakistan's Taliban on Monday vowed more attacks on tankers transporting fuel to Nato troops in Afghanistan, a move likely to prolong the closure of a vital supply route and further strain ties with Washington. Angered by repeated attacks by Nato helicopters on militant targets within its borders, Pakistan blocked one of the supply routes for Nato troops in Afghanistan after a strike killed three Pakistani soldiers in the western Kurram region. About half of all non-lethal supplies for western forces in land-locked Afghanistan pass through Pakistan, giving Pakistan considerable leverage over the United States.
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