Attacks renewed on Nato supplies

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A Nato supply depot in north-west Pakistan has been attacked by suspected militants, the first such raid since a major army offensive against them.

Several rockets were fired at the terminal on the outskirts of Peshawar, damaging a number of trucks.

Last month authorities suspended the supply route in an offensive involving ground troops, helicopters and tanks.

The route carries about 75% of the supplies needed by the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan.

Alternative routes

A senior police officer, Fida Mohammad, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "The militants fired six rockets on a Nato terminal during the night. One truck was hit and it caught fire, while three other vehicles suffered minor damage."

He said there was a brief exchange of fire with police but the attackers fled.

Last month the military launched a major operation against militants in the Khyber region in response to a wave of hijackings and attacks on vehicles carrying supplies into Afghanistan.

Dozens of people were arrested and a number of suspected militant houses and camps were destroyed in the operation.

The offensive led to the closure of the crucial overland supply route. It was later reopened for day deliveries.

The international forces in Afghanistan praised the offensive saying it was necessary to "clear out these trouble spots".

There have been reports Nato and the US are trying to find alternative routes through central Asia.