Pak Hits Militants Along Supply Route

[unhappycamper]

Pak Hits Militants Along Supply Route
December 30, 2008
Associated Press

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Pakistan closed the main route used to ferry supplies to U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan on Tuesday after launching a fresh offensive against militants in the area.

While the length of the closure isn't clear, the U.S. already has started looking for supply line alternatives as it prepares to almost double its number of soldiers in Afghanistan next year.

A U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan welcomed the operation against the extremists, despite the suspension of the supply route.

"We are glad that they're helping clean out what they call miscreants in that area that have been attacking the supply line," said Col. Greg Julian. "Temporary closure (of the supply line) is not a problem. It's best that they conduct this operation and clear out these trouble spots."

The road through the Khyber Pass in the northwest of Pakistan has come under increasing attacks by militants seeking to squeeze Western forces fighting a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan in recent months.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/pak-hits-militants-along-supply-route.html?col=1186032310810