5 killed in Taliban attack on NATO tankers in northwest Pakistan

Over two dozen Taliban militants attacked a terminal for NATO supply vehicles on the outskirts of this northwestern Pakistani city today, killing five persons and destroying 11 oil tankers, police said.

The militants targeted the terminal on the Peshawar-Kohat road early this morning and fired indiscriminately at container trucks and oil tankers parked there.

Senior police officials said the militants planted timed explosive devices on 12 of the 18 oil tankers at the terminal.

The militants shot dead two guards while entering the terminal.

Three persons died due to severe burn injuries caused by the massive blaze that erupted when the oil tankers exploded.

Police later found four grenades and bombs at the terminal and defused them.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack but the banned Pakistani Taliban has carried out several such assaults on NATO supply vehicles in the past three years.

Hundreds of trucks and tankers ferrying supplies to foreign forces in Afghanistan have been destroyed and dozens killed in these attacks.

The bulk of supplies and equipment required by foreign troops in Afghanistan are shipped through Peshawar.