LANDI KOTAL: Unidentified gunmen attacked a vehicle carrying an armoured personnel carrier for US allied forces in Afghanistan in the Shah Kas area of Jamrud tehsil on Friday, injuring the vehicle’s conductor.

Local police told Dawn that two gunmen riding a motorcycle were seen by local residents opening fire on the Afghanistan-bound vehicle near the Manz police checkpost on Shah Kas road.

They said the armed men opened fire on the vehicle when they overtook it and then fled towards Malakano Kalay.

The firing resulted in minor injuries to the conductor of the vehicle who was a resident of Shalman in Landi Kotal.

The incident caused fear among the local residents while the traffic was also suspended for a while.

Police officials said the targeted vehicle was later taken up to Torkham in their armed escort while the injured man was provided with first aid.

Police also conducted a search operation in the locality and arrested at least 15 local tribesmen. Nobody took responsibility for the attack which took place after a long pause of nearly six years.

Khyber district police officer Mohammad Hussain later told Dawn that it was made mandatory for all vehicles carrying supplies for Allied forces based in Afghanistan to apply for armed police escort prior to their entry into Khyber and onward journey up to Torkham border.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2019