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US trucks resume travel after Pakistan reopens Khyber Pass
Heavily guarded container trucks and oil tankers carrying goods for US and Nato troops in Afghanistan resumed travel on Monday, after Pakistan opened the Khyber Pass.
- Agencies
- Published: 11:56 November 17, 2008
Khyber Pass: Heavily guarded container trucks and oil tankers carrying goods for US and Nato troops in Afghanistan resumed travel on Monday, after Pakistan opened the Khyber Pass.
Pakistan suspended the vehicles from the passageway for a security review last week after militants hijacked several trucks whose load included Humvees bound for the US-led coalition.
On Monday, a dozen or so paramilitary pickups joined a convoy of around 30 vehicles as part of new security measures. The escort trucks bore rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns. Earlier, the transport trucks travel with little or no security.
The critical trade route between the neighbours has been a frequent target for Al Qaida and Taliban fighters.
Bakhtiar Khan, a No. 2 government representative in the area, said troops were authorised to shoot "at sight" any militants or otherwise armed attackers who attempt to assault the convoy.
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