Pakistan: Militants Cut NATO Supply Line

Armed militants, supporters of two armed groups in Khyber Agency, tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border have halted supply to NATO forces fighting a fierce battle against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The militants have blocked the Pak-Afghan Highway for all types of vehicular traffic. Situation is very tense.

Reporting reaching Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province and Tribal Areas said that the para-military forces have started moving towards the place where the militants have taken position against each others. Tribesmen have also been preparing themselves for a possible war in the areas. Civilians have started shifting to safer places.

The News International reports that the tension between the rival groups at Tehsil Jamrud here has further flared up, which has sent the traffic on Pak-Afghan Highway to a grinding halt.

Sources said that the tension between one religious outfit and the other tribesmen including Kokikhel Malagori and Nekikhel has further increased, while the Kokikhel tribesmen have stopped the traffic at Wazirdand and Nekikhel tribesmen at Walikhel on Pak-Afghan Highway.

Malagori tribesmen have also blocked the traffic on Malagori-Landikotal Road. The tribesmen armed with heavy weapons are seen dug in at different places.

On the other hand, the religious outfit has re-opened its office at Shahkus area and hundreds of supporters of the organization have set up check-posts. Political administration has also set up two check-posts at Takhtabeg.

According to another report, the Tehrik-i-Taliban, Swat Chapter, has said that some people want to create misunderstanding between the government and the Taliban. "Some elements are trying to sabotage the proposed talks by creating misunderstanding between the government and Taliban," a spokesman for the Taliban, Muslim Khan, told reporters by telephone from an undisclosed location.

He said the conspirators were playing a dangerous game and bent upon pitting army against its own people. "They are out to sabotage the government's offer for dialogue," he said, adding that the Taliban wanted implementation of the Shariah and establishment of a society based on justice and equality.

He said they were ready to talk to anyone for bringing peace and normalcy to the area.About setting up of a checkpoint by the security forces in Imam Dheri, the erstwhile stronghold of the militants in the valley, the spokesman said they had nothing to do with the step and termed it a conspiracy meant to derail the peace process. He alleged that the district administration, particularly Kanju police, were disturbing the law and order situation.

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