Taliban hit NATO convoys as they resume ferrying war supplies

In the first attack since Pakistan allowed NATO convoys reaccess to use the crucial Khyber Pass route, the militants armed with petrol bombs and assault rifles targeted the container as it was parked in Shah Kas area of Khyber Agency after crossing over from Afghanistan.

Official said the militants asked the driver and cleaner to get down from the truck, shot them down and set the container ablaze.

No group claimed responsibility for the incident. Over 100 container trucks and oil tankers ferrying supplies to NATO and US forces in Afghanistan have been destroyed in a series of attacks across Pakistan in recent weeks.

Pakistan shut the main Khyber Pass crossing on September 30, apparently to protest cross-border strikes by NATO aircrafts, which left at least two Pakistani soldiers dead. Islamabad gave the go ahead to the convoys only on Sunday.

In another incident in nearby Orakzai tribal region, seven people were killed in fierce clashes between Taliban and pro-government tribal militia.

Those killed included four members of pro-government militia and three Taliban insurgents.
The gunbattle erupted when a group of tribal militia attacked militants in Kasha area of Orakzai on the border with Afghanistan. Six more militiamen were also injured.

The Pakistani authorities have enrolled the tribal militia in their fight against the Taliban.