Pakistan Closes NATO Supply Route
Pakistan has closed a vital supply route to NATO and US-led forces in Afghanistan, preventing supply trucks from crossing into the country.
Islamabad said Tuesday that the service via the historic Khyber Pass has been suspended over 'security reasons'.
The move comes as Pakistani security forces launched a major operation involving artillery, tanks and helicopter gunships against the militants in the lawless tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
The operation, which is taking place in the Jamrud district, would continue until the route was fully secured, Khyber's top administrator Tariq Hayat said adding that the operation would be extended to other areas of Khyber if necessary.
"Supplies to NATO forces will remain suspended until we clear the area of militants and outlaws who have gone out of control", Tariq Hayat said.
The main roads linking Peshawar to the border town of Torkham will remain closed until the operation is completed. A curfew will also be imposed throughout the region.
An estimated 70 percent of NATO supplies move through Khyber to support US-led troops stationed in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has closed the supply route several times; in September Islamabad closed the route and barred trucks carrying fuel and other supplies to US-led and NATO forces from crossing into Afghanistan in response to US cross border attacks, which have violated the sovereignty of the country and left scores of civilians dead.
HE/RA