Nato Supply Lines Cut Again In Pakistan

Khyber Pass Closed 'Indefinitely' After Taliban Attacks -- Long War Journal

The Pakistani government has again shut down the Khyber Pass to NATO supply columns moving into Afghanistan.

The closure of the NATO's vital link to Afghanistan took place after Taliban forces attacked a military base in Khyber with rocket-propelled grenades, killing one Frontier Corps paramilitary trooper and wounding 10 more. The Pakistani military is planning to launch another operation in an effort to clear the Taliban from the region.

"We're preparing for an assault," an official told Geo News. "We have imposed curfew in Landikotal and Jamrud (the two main towns in Khyber). The border is also closed."

During the latter part of 2008, the Taliban stepped up its attacks on NATO columns and shipping terminals in Khyber and Peshawar. More than 300 NATO vehicles and containers have been destroyed in a series of attacks on shipping terminals in Peshawar as well as attacks on convoys moving through the region.

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More News On The Closing Of NATO's Supply Line Through Pakistan

Supplies for Afghan forces disrupted in Pakistan -- Reuters
Attack disrupts Afghan supplies -- Al Jazeera
Pakistan briefly halts US-NATO supplies -- AP
Pakistan reopens NATO supply route after brief halt -- AFP
Pakistan: NATO supplies halted after militant attack -- ADN Kronos

U.S. Plans Central Asian Supply Route To Afghanistan

A truck carried supplies for American and NATO troops on a highway east of Kabul, Afghanistan. Musadeq Sadeq/Associated Press

From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — The United States and NATO are planning to open and expand supply lines through Central Asia to deliver fuel, food and other goods to a military mission in Afghanistan that is expected to grow by tens of thousands of troops in the months ahead, according to American and alliance diplomats and military officials.

The plan to open new paths through Central Asia reflects an American-led effort to seek out a more reliable alternative to the route from Pakistan through the strategic Khyber Pass, which was closed by Pakistani security forces on Tuesday as they launched an offensive against militants in the region.

The militants have shown they can threaten shipments through the pass into Afghanistan, burning cargo trucks and American Humvees over recent weeks. More than 80 percent of the supplies for American and allied forces in Afghanistan now flow through Pakistan.

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Update: US eyes alternate supply lines into Afghanistan: official -- AFP
Update: Eight die in Pakistan offensive against militants in the Khyber Pass -- Christian Science Monitor

Pakistan Restores Providing Supplies To NATO Troops In Afghanistan

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Supplies To Nato Forces Restored -- The News

LANDIKOTAL: Following the federal government's verbal directives to the political authorities regarding the restoration of supply lines to the allied forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan, the Khyber Agency administration on Saturday allowed oil tankers and consignments meant for Nato forces.

Sources said the oil-takers and trucks laden with goods for the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan were directed to cross Torkham border as soon as possible during 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Political administration officials said that the consignments were stopped due to security reasons as they had received threats from Taliban.

They said the Khassadar force at Takhta Baig checkpoint had been directed by the political administration not to let the trucks and oil tankers enter the agency as they needed high security for their safe passage to the Torkham border.

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Update: Pakistan reopens vital border crossing to NATO -- Long War Journal

My Comment: Restored .... but for how long? This is the Achilles heel for NATO and the Afghan Government in their fight with the Taliban.