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Suspected militants destroy more NATO supplies containers in Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 12, IRNA
Pakistan-Nato Containers
A dozen more containers, holding supplies for NATO troops in Afghanistan, were destroyed after militants attacked a Pakistani freight terminal with rockets early Friday, police officials said.

It is the fourth attack on NATO containers in less than 10 days in the city of Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, police chief Sifwat Ghyoor said.

Companies hired by NATO to drive fuel, food and other supplies to troops fighting the Taliban use the terminals in the outskirts of Peshawar to park containers waiting for convoys across the border into Afghanistan.

Police said that the militants fired some 10 rockets at a terminal at Peshawar's Ring Road late night and destroyed 12 containers, including armored and military jeeps.

The fresh attack raised the number of destroyed containers and oil tankers to 300 in four attacks in 10 days.

Gayoor said that the authorities have got some evidences about those involved and arrested five suspects.

He said more suspects would soon be arrested.

He said security has been tightened around the terminals but officials at the terminals say the security level is still insufficient.

Police say that the contractors must also provide enough security for the terminal.

The last week attack at two terminals was severe so far as around 200 tankers, trucks and army vehicles on containers were torched.

Trucks moving from Pakistan to Afghanistan have been attacked in recent months, including one incident in which dozens of trucks with fuel for NATO forces were burned while parked in the Khyber agency of tribal region last March.

The biggest attack left two people dead and two others wounded.

Analysts say that the militants consider containers as an easy target and launch attacks in the night, which are successful so far.

Many believe that the attacks on NATO trucks are reaction to military offensives by Pakistan's security forces in the tribal regions and Swat valley.

As retaliation for the military presence, the Taliban have also carried out a series of deadly suicide bombings -- and said the attacks will continue until the troops pull out.