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29 March 2024

Militants blow up tankers in Pakistan

Published
By Agencies

 

Up to 65 people were injured when Islamic militants in a Pakistani border town blew up dozens of tankers supplying fuel for US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, officials said Monday.


The rebels late Sunday destroyed 36 tankers which were parked in Landikotal, the main town of the troubled Khyber tribal district where Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked insurgents have carried out a series of attacks.

"An improvised explosive device planted underneath a tanker went off, triggering a massive fire injuring up to 65 people and completely gutting 36 tankers," a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

More than 80 tankers were parked in the town when the explosion took place.

"We believe that pro-Taliban militants are behind the attack," the official said, adding that 12 people sustained serious burn injuries.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

It was one of the worst attacks of its kind since June last year, when militants blew up at least 13 oil tankers supplying fuel to US bases in eastern and southern Afghanistan. (AFP)