45 NATO tankers torched in new attack: police

In ongoin­g attack­s, at least 20 Nato oil tanker­s were torche­d when milita­nts opened fire on a convoy.

PESHAWAR:

At least 45 NATO oil tankers were torched when militants opened fire on a convoy of dozens of vehicles parked inNowshera in northwestern Pakistan, senior police officials said Wednesday.

The attack was the second of the day after militants opened fire on a terminal on the outskirts of the southwestern city of Quetta earlier, killing a staff member and destroying at least 18 vehicles.

The Quetta attack, the fifth in a week, was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban "to avenge US drone attacks" in the northwestern tribal region on the Afghan border.

There were more than 70 vehicles including oil tankers and containers at the depot in Nowshera, local police chief Nisar Ahmed Tanoli told AFP.

"Militants opened fire and also lobbed rockets which triggered fire," he said. "We have summoned fire brigades and efforts are underway to extinguish the fire."

He said 10 tankers were on fire but the blaze was spreading and the number could rise.

There was no immediate report of casualties, he said.