One dead as gunmen attack NATO trucks in Jamrud

Attack takes place as a convoy of 7 oil tankers was on its way to Afghanistan, according to security officials.

PESHAWAR: The driver of a Nato oil tanker headed to Afghanistan was shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists in Jamrud on Thursday morning.

The attack took place as a convoy of seven oil tankers was on its way to Afghanistan, according to security officials.

Assistant Political Agent (APA) Roshan Mehsud said that it was the first oil tanker in a long time which was en route to Afghanistan through Jamrud, Khyber Agency.

He further said that when it reached Jamrud Bypass around 9:30am unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at the vehicle, adding that as a result driver of the tanker Nazir, a resident of Khusab in Punjab, was injured while a cleaner in the vehicle narrowly escaped.

Mehsud stated that the assailants managed to flee after the attack.

He also added that the injured driver succumbed to his injuries on the way to a nearby hospital.

The APA revealed that a case of the incident was registered and further investigation was underway.

Ali Sher, a local administration official, confirmed the incident.

"Gunmen riding motorbikes started firing on the trucks as they were passing through the Jamrud Bypass, killing the driver of the last truck in the queue," he told AFP.

Trucks travelling through Pakistan to supply US-led forces have frequently been attacked during Nato's 13-year intervention in Afghanistan.

The coalition is winding down operations in Afghanistan with its 51,000 combat troops due to pull out by the end of this year.

Late last year the United States suspended shipments of equipment out of Afghanistan through a key Pakistani route for a time.

The move came after the political party of former cricketer Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf began forcibly searching trucks in an effort to halt Nato supplies in protest against US drone strikes in Pakistan.