Pakistan reopens NATO supply route

Nov 17, 2008, 6:48 GMT

Islamabad - Pakistan on Monday re-opened a critical supply route for US and NATO troops in Afghanistan that was closed after last week's Taliban attack on a convoy, officials said.

'The passage has been opened after reviewing the security arrangements,' said Amirzada Khan, a government official in Kgyber tribal district.

Some 25 container trucks and oil tankers bound for US and NATO forces resumed their journey Monday morning, escorted by dozens of paramilitary troops and tribal policemen in eight security vehicles.

'These troops have the orders to shoot on sight anyone who attacks the convoy,' Khan added.

Islamic militants looted 13 trucks carrying food supplies and two Humvee armoured vehicles near Khyber Pass last Monday, forcing the authorities to suspend the traffic temporarily.

Under the new security measures, the trucks and tankers would be allowed to travel only in the caravans, twice a day initially, according to Khan.

More than 300 vehicles transport Kabul-bound cargo through the Khyber Pass each day, mostly coming from the southern port city of Karachi.

Security in Khyber has deteriorated in recent months during which government troops have waged military offensives against al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked militants in the tribal region.