November 18, 2008	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 19, 1429

LANDI KOTAL, Nov 17: Security personnel escorted two convoys carrying goods and fuel for Nato forces in Afghanistan to Torkham on Monday.

According to officials, the first convoy left the Takhtabeg checkpoint, in Jamrud tehsil, at 11am, reaching Torkham at 1pm. The convoy was escorted up to Prang Sam, on the Torkham highway between Landi Kotal and Jamrud teshils, by an armoured personnel carrier (APC) and 10 military vehicles.

The second convoy left Takhtabeg at 2pm and reached Torkham at 4.30pm.

Assistant Political Agent Fida Bangash said security would be provided to trucks carrying goods for Nato forces through the tribal belt. “We have reduced the number of vehicles for security reasons. Only two convoys of 25 trucks each will be allowed daily,” he said.

Earlier, about 200 trucks and oil tankers used to cross the border daily. “Providing security to such a large number of vehicles is difficult,” Mr Bangash said.

The supplies had been suspended after militants looted 13 trucks loaded with food items and military equipment, including two Humvee vehicles, from the Peshawar-Torkham road on Nov 10.

Since June, 64 trucks and oil tankers supplying goods to Nato forces have been hijacked, looted or blown up in Khyber Agency, most of them in Jamrud tehsil.