QUETTA: Armed militants torched at least a dozen oil tankers carrying fuel for US and Nato troops stationed in Afghanistan in Balochistan’s industrial town of Hub on Sunday night.
Arif Ali, a police official told Dawn.com via telephone that around 10 to 15 armed militants fired rockets and hurled hand-held bombs at the Nato tankers, parked outside a roadside hotel near Hub town in Lasbela district.
The tankers caught fire after the attack. “Even after two hours, flames of fire could be seen,” Ali said. He said the fire had also engulfed the hotel and nearby shops.
Fire brigade was called from Hub city to extinguish the roaring flames of fire. “Fire fighters are making hectic efforts to put off the fire,” said the police officer.
Exact number of oil tankers would only be ascertained once fire is completely extinguished, he added.
District Police Officer (DPO) Lasbela Ahmad Nawaz Cheema, while confirming the incident, contradicted the reports of firing and rocket attack saying no firing was heard in the area. He, however, did not rule out possibility of an IED blast.
The attackers drove off the scene after the strike. However, there was no human loss since all drivers managed to escape unhurt from the site.
Police and personnel of other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and cordoned off the area to probe into the incident.
Militants have intensified attacks against Nato supplies. This incident has come two days after the militants torched nine Nato oil tankers in Sorab area of Balochistan.
There has been no claim of responsibility for both the attacks.