US may abandon Pakistan-Afghan supply route

Upset over mounting terror attacks targeting the Nato/Isaf supply trucks travelling to Afghanistan via Pakistan, the high-command of the US-led allied forces stationed in Afghanistan has warned Islamabad that its failure to prevent such assaults could force them to abandon Pakistan as a major supply route for transportation of food and military supplies to Afghanistan.
According to diplomatic sources in Islamabad, the rising number of terrorist attacks on the Nato-Isaf convoys, coupled with the sudden crisis brought about by the recent floods in Pakistan, which have washed away several key bridges and highways, have compelled the high ups of the US-led allied forces to seek alternative supply routes for the international forces stationed in Afghanistan.

The Nato convoys travelling through Pakistan are the principal source of logistical support for the US-led allied forces in Afghanistan. Being the shortest and most economical route, almost 75% of ammunition, vehicles, foodstuff and around 50% of fuel for the Nato-Isaf forces fighting against the Taliban militia in Afghanistan are being transported via Pakistan for the last many years.

Pakistan has already blocked a key supply route for the US-led Nato force in Afghanistan on Sept 30 after a cross-border helicopter attack killed three Pakistani troops. The move came a day after Pakistan threatened to stop protecting supply routes to Afghanistan after a series of cross border aerial attacks by the Afghanistan based international forces killed several innocent Pakistanis including three soldiers.

Around 100 vehicles have already been held. According to Islamabad-based diplomatic circles, the Americans are now trying to secure three different alternative Cenmtral Asian supply routes for Afghanistan.