South Asia News
Pakistan probes blasts that destroyed 38 trucks, hurt 100 people
Mar 24, 2008, 10:12 GMT
Islamabad - Authorities on Monday launched a probe into a series of blasts that destroyed 38 trucks carrying fuel for NATO forces and injured about 100 people on a Pakistani border crossing, officials said.
Two time-devices exploded in the parking area of Torkham customs post on the Pakistan-Afghan border on Sunday night, triggering a series of blasts and huge fire that engulfed the oil tankers waiting there for clearance.
'Some border guards and other officials on the border crossing have been detained for questioning,' a government official Bismillah Khan told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. The investigators suspect that the pro-Taliban militants might have gained some assistance from an insider.
'Around 100 people suffered burn injuries in the last night's attack,' khan added.
He said on Sunday night that two people were killed in the incident. But he explained on the following day that two severely burnt persons who were taken as dead by the relief workers were declared alive at the hospital.
Pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal area have repeatedly targeted tankers carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in South Asia
- 1. Sri Lanka leftist party says leader, activist are abducted
- 2. US agrees to let Afghan forces take lead in night raids
- 3. India, Pakistan leaders want better ties
- 4. Pilot killed in crash of Bangladesh Air Force jet
- 5. Pakistani president visits India for lunch meeting, prayers
Older Talkback
page: 1
page: 1
BenMar 24th, 2008 - 20:30:19
They're probing... you're serious? Probing? They think an 'insider' may have helped the Taliban? Everyone knows, and the government even admits, the Taliban operate out of Pakistan. They receive aid and shelter from the Pakistani people. The government should know, because they've made a number of deals with 'tribal leaders' to prevent more embarrassing military conflicts and all-out civil war. Who did they suppose they were funding?
This is nothing but propaganda, an attempt to save face, so it appears Pakistan is actually opposed to the Taliban. The truth is that the US military is the _only_ reason Pakistan claims to oppose such extremists, so they can ally with both sides, and the result is the country is fraying at the seams.
Report this comment