Khyber Pass attacks threaten U.S. supply line

A view of destruction caused by bomb explosions at Torkham along Afghanistan border in Pakistan on March 24. Nearly 40 trucks carrying fuel to U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan were destroyed in two bomb attacks on the Pakistani border, officials said.


Khyber Pass attacks threaten U.S. supply line
By Kathy Gannon - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday May 20, 2008 15:30:49 EDT

KHYBER AGENCY, Pakistan — Thieves, feuding tribesmen and Taliban militants are creating chaos along the main Pakistan-Afghanistan highway, threatening a vital supply line for U.S. and NATO forces.

Abductions and arson attacks on the hundreds of cargo trucks plying the switchback road through the Khyber Pass have become commonplace this year. Many of the trucks carry fuel and other material for foreign troops based in Afghanistan.

U.S. and NATO officials play down their losses in these arid mountains of northwestern Pakistan — even though the local arms bazaar offers U.S.-made assault rifles and Beretta pistols, and the alliance is negotiating to open routes through other countries.

The most high-profile victim of the lawlessness has been Tariq Azizuddin, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan. The 56-year-old was snatched from his Mercedes limousine three months ago while driving toward the border. He wasn’t freed until Saturday. Pakistan’s government denied it was part of a prisoner swap last week with militants.

A senior government official said Azizuddin’s kidnapping was carried out by one of dozens of criminal gangs operating in the region, who then sold the ambassador to the Taliban. The official agreed to discuss the case only if not identified, citing the sensitivity of the efforts that led to the envoy’s release.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_khyber_pass_052008/

Supply lines could have been very different if those early offers of Iranian assistance had been accepted...