PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN // Suspected militants attacked a Pakistan transport terminal used to supply Nato and US troops in Afghanistan, killing a guard and burning up to 160 vehicles early today, an official said.
The assault was the boldest yet on trucks carrying critical supplies to foreign troops in Afghanistan, feeding concern that Taliban militants could cut or seriously disrupt the route through the Khyber Pass.
Up to 75 per cent of the supplies for Western forces in the landlocked country pass through Pakistan after being unloaded from ships at the Arabian sea port of Karachi.
About 30 assailants armed with guns and rockets attacked the Portward Logistic Terminal near the city of Peshawar before dawn today, police official Kashif Alam said.
A guard at the terminal was killed in the attack. Mr Alam said that fire swept through the terminal, destroying 62 vehicles. But terminal manager Kifayatullah Khan said 106 vehicles were destroyed, including 62 that were carrying Humvees.
The rest of the torched trucks were carrying sealed shipping containers or other vehicles, including fire engines and dump trucks, Mr Khan said. He said his terminal only handled trucks carrying military supplies for Afghanistan.
A series of recent attacks on trucks between Peshawar and the Afghan border has highlighted the route's vulnerability to Taliban-led militants in the border region.
Last week, suspected insurgents attacked another terminal near Peshawar and burned 12 trucks loaded with Nato supplies, including several Humvees. Two guards were shot dead.
Nato and US officials have said that losses along the supply route are not affecting their operations in Afghanistan. Still, Nato is seeking to open alternative routes through Central Asia.
*AP
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Cryopreservation: A timeline
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if you go
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126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
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Oppenheimer
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