Pak suspends NATO supplies to flush out militants

JAMRUD: Pakistan suspended supplies going to foreign forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday as security forces launched an offensive against militants in the Khyber Pass region, a government official said.

Militants have launched a string of attacks in recent months aimed at choking off
supplies trucked to foreign forces in landlocked Afghanistan through northwest Pakistan from the port of Karachi.

Khyber’s top administrator, Tariq Hayat, said that a curfew had been imposed and the main road leading to the Afghan border had been sealed. “Supplies to NATO forces will remain suspended until we clear the area of militants and outlaws who have gone out of control,” he said.

Hayat said security forces, backed by helicopter gunships, artillery and tanks, began an offensive early on Tuesday. “Our targets are very clear and specific. We’re after them and will try our best to avoid civilian losses,” he told reporters in the town of Jamrud.

The Khyber Pass runs between the north-western city of Peshawar and the border town of Torkham and is a vital supply line for more than 65,000 Western troops battling the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

The US military sends 75% of supplies for the Afghan war through or over Pakistan, including 40% of the fuel for its troops, the US Defence Department says.

The supply route is likely to become even more important as US increases the number of its troops in Afghanistan, perhaps doubling the number to about 60,000 next year.
American commanders insist the attacks are not disrupting their mission in Afghanistan, but they also say they are exploring new routes. They claim to have enough supplies to last many weeks.