QUETTA, Pakistan, Oct 9, 2010 (AFP) - Gunmen Saturday torched at least 29 oil tankers in southwest Pakistan, the sixth attack in just over a week as Islamist militants continued to target a NATO supply route into Afghanistan.Two police officers were hurt in the attack in remote Mitri area, 180 kilometres (112 miles) southeast of Quetta, the capital of oil and gas rich Baluchistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
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| Islamist militants are continuing to target a NATO supply route into Afghanistan |
“Some 30 gunmen attacked the tankers, which were parked outside a roadside hotel and opened fire early Saturday morning, injuring two local police officials,” Abdul Mateen, a senior administration official in Mitri, told AFP.
“We will be able to have a precise idea about the losses only after the fire is brought under control.” Mateen said the tankers, which were on their way to Afghanistan had stopped in Mitri overnight.
Baluchistan's home secretary Akbar Durrani confirmed the incident and said the fire gutted all 29 tankers.
Taliban militants launched five attacks on NATO supply vehicles in Pakistan in the past week to avenge US drone strikes.
Pakistani authorities have reported 26 drone attacks since September 3 which have killed more than 140 people in the region.
The strikes have been linked to a US plan to disrupt an alleged plot by extremists to launch Mumbai-style attacks in Europe.The latest tanker attack came as the main land route for NATO supplies crossing from Pakistan to Afghanistan at Torkham in the northwest remained closed for tenth day. |
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