Key NATO Supply Route Hit Again In Pakistan

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Pakistani firefighters try to extinguish burning NATO supplies oil tankers following the gunmen attack on the outskirts of Islamabad on October 4, 2010. Three people were killed on October 4 and eight others wounded when about 20 NATO oil tankers were attacked and set ablaze in the Pakistani capital, a police emergency official said.



ZARAR KHAN | 10/ 3/10 10:25 PM | AP

ISLAMABAD — Suspected militants attacked and set fire to at least 20 tankers carrying oil for NATO and U.S. troops in Afghanistan on Monday, the third such strike inside Pakistan in as many days, police said.

The attack not far from the capital Islamabad took place on a supply line that has been stalled because of a temporary border closing imposed by Pakistani authorities to protest a NATO helicopter attack that killed three Pakistan troops last week.

It will raise the stakes in the closure, which has exacerbated tensions between Washington and Islamabad but has been welcomed by Islamist groups opposed to Pakistan's support of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

Police officer Umer Hayat said three people were killed and blamed Monday's attack on "terrorists."

The attackers opened fire on trucks that were parked at a poorly guarded terminal before setting them afire, he and other officers said.