FC impound 12 NATO containers in Chaman

Security along Pak-Afghan border beefed up, says inspector general.

QUETTA:

The Frontier Corps (FC) paramilitary troops have impounded 12 containers near the Chaman border carrying fuel for the Nato-led forces stationed in Afghanistan.

The containers were en route to Afghanistan when they were intercepted by security forces at the Chaman border and after a search operation they found fuel in the sealed containers.

“The FC had prior information about the supply of fuel and military hardware for the Nato forces through infrequent routes which misuse the Afghan Transit Trade facility. Therefore, strict security was clamped along the Afghan border,” a senior official of the FC told reporters.

The containers of the Afghan Transit Trade were impounded and drivers taken into custody for questioning.

The Nato supply via Balochistan was suspended following the government decision after the US air raids on Pakistani check post at Salala on November 26 last year. Almost all the oil tankers and containers were sent back to Karachi.

“Nine oil tankers and 12 containers carrying fuel and supply for Nato forces are still parked in Quetta and other areas of the province. Some containers are either broken down or abandoned by drivers and cleaners,” the FC official revealed.

The inspector general (IG) of the FC added that security along the Pak-Afghan border has been beefed up.

“The FC is closely monitoring the situation on the bordering areas with Afghanistan. We are in position to tackle any attacks launched by militants or by the organised forces,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, security forces recovered an explosive device outside the Pakistan Petroleum Limited office in Sui and managed to deactivate it. The explosive device was planted by unknown persons.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2012.