Pakistan suspends Afghan supplies
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Pakistan has halted a key supply route to US and Nato forces in Afghanistan in order to begin an offensive against militants, officials say, reports BBC.
Troops backed by helicopter gunships and tanks began the operation in the Khyber Pass area early Tuesday.
There has been a spate of hijackings and attacks on vehicles carrying crucial overland supplies to US and Nato troops fighting the Taleban. The route from the port city of Karachi is a major source of supply.
The leading administrator in Khyber, Tariq Hayat, said: "Supplies to Nato forces will remain suspended until we clear the area of militants and outlaws who have gone out of control."
Speaking from Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province, Mr Hayat said a curfew had been imposed and the main road to the Afghan border was closed.
The operation was taking place in the Jamrud district, he said, and would continue until the route to Kabul was fully secured. The military had identified 26 militant sites to target, Mr Hayat said. He said the local Kukikhel tribe had been found to be harbouring Taleban militants.
Troops backed by helicopter gunships and tanks began the operation in the Khyber Pass area early Tuesday.
There has been a spate of hijackings and attacks on vehicles carrying crucial overland supplies to US and Nato troops fighting the Taleban. The route from the port city of Karachi is a major source of supply.
The leading administrator in Khyber, Tariq Hayat, said: "Supplies to Nato forces will remain suspended until we clear the area of militants and outlaws who have gone out of control."
Speaking from Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province, Mr Hayat said a curfew had been imposed and the main road to the Afghan border was closed.
The operation was taking place in the Jamrud district, he said, and would continue until the route to Kabul was fully secured. The military had identified 26 militant sites to target, Mr Hayat said. He said the local Kukikhel tribe had been found to be harbouring Taleban militants.