July 12, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 8, 1429

QUETTA, July 11: A Pakistani driver was killed and two people were injured when a convoy carrying fuel and other supplies for US-led forces in Afghanistan was attacked by Taliban near Kandahar on Friday.

The convoy had crossed into Afghanistan from Chaman on Friday morning and was going to Kandahar when it was attacked in Loya Wala area, Afghan officials said. The injured were taken to Kandahar.

According to sources, the convoy was attacked with heavy weapons, including rockets and heavy machine-guns.

“Five oil tankers and containers carrying fuel and food items for the US-led forces in Afghanistan were destroyed in the attack,” Afghan commander Abdul Raziq Panjsheri told Chaman-based journalists on telephone.

The body of the driver has not yet been handed over to Pakistxan.

The Afghan commander said security forces had launched a search operation in collaboration with the allied forces in the area.

The Taliban spokesman for southern Afghanistan, Qari Yousaf, claimed responsibility for the attack. “Taliban were behind the attack on the convoy near Kandahar airport,” he told newsmen.

He said the militia would not spare anyone helping the US-led forces in Afghanistan. “They should stop transporting fuel and other items for occupation forces in Afghanistan,” he said.

—Staff Correspondent