Pakistan orders expulsion of Afghan nationals for involvement in NATO tanker raids

Pakistani authorities have ordered the expulsion of Afghan nationals from the Khyber tribal region within three days after gathering proof of their involvement in attacks on oil tankers bound for Afghanistan, an official said today.

The political administration of Khyber Agency, which borders Afghanistan, arrested eight suspects, including some Afghan nationals, following a recent attack on NATO oil tankers.

Authorities have warned that homes of Afghan nationals who do not leave the region will be demolished, assistant political agent Muhammad Iqbal Khattak said.

Authorities also imposed a ban on pillion riding in Landi Kotal and Torkham areas of Khyber Agency, he said.

The government has taken strict notice of attacks on NATO oil tankers and security has been beefed up in the region and additional troops from the Levies and Khasadar forces have been deployed to increase surveillance and ensure peace, he said.

Khattak confirmed the arrest of eight suspects and said the political administration has set a three-day deadline for Afghans to leave the region.

Pro-Taliban militants have destroyed scores of oil tankers and supply vehicles bound for Afghanistan in attacks in Khyber Agency in recent months.