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NATO supply route closed to fight Taliban

* 5 killed in Khyber as troops launch operation against ‘six outfits’
* NATO claims offensive will have ‘no impact’ on foreign forces

JAMRUD: Pakistan on Tuesday suspended supplies to more than 65,000 NATO and United States troops in Afghanistan when security forces imposed curfew in and around Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency to initiate a military operation against the Taliban, officials and local residents said.

Two Taliban were among five people killed on Tuesday in the joint operation by military and paramilitary forces.

“We have launched crackdown against people creating disturbances, and army, paramilitary and levy force is jointly conducting the operation,” Khyber Chief Administrator Tariq Hayat told reporters in Peshawar.

The early-dawn operation followed recent Taliban activities, which attempted to cut off supply lines to international forces in Afghanistan and threatened Peshawar’s security.

“Helicopter gunships pounded suspected hideouts of the Taliban and their local facilitators while ground forces with tanks and heavy artillery provided backup,” residents of Jamrud told Daily Times.

Troops shelled Taliban strongholds in Ghundi, Sakhipul, Tedi bazaar, Shah Zaman Kalay and Ghuriza areas of Jamrud tehsil. “Five people were killed,” political administration officials said, but did not provide details.

Dr Salahuddin at Jamrud Civil Hospital said four civilians with bullet wounds were brought for treatment.

Local residents said three civilians, including a child, were killed in an area close to Tedi bazaar and Ghuriza by the shelling.

Target: Tariq Hayat said the operation was targeting six Taliban-linked organizations.

“This operation will continue as long as all targets are achieved,” he said.

The tribal administrator said the operation was aimed at putting a stop to both attacks on NATO supply vehicles and a spate of kidnappings for ransom in the Tribal Areas, where the Taliban and Al Qaeda are active.

Troops had already seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition in a raid

on a warehouse in Jamrud, Hayat said, adding that a complete curfew had been imposed on the area, with paramilitary troops patrolling the streets.

Local residents said the militants put up little resistance to the operation. “There was some resistance by members of an organisation, but there was no resistance at all by the militants who appear to have left the area much earlier than the operation started,” the residents said.

Impact: Reuters reported NATO spokesman in Kabul Captain Mark Windsor as saying that the supply blockade “will not have a major impact, for it is temporary and we have stocks and supplies. Overall, it will be a good thing”. sajid ali/qazi rauf/reuters

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