Gunmen attack NATO convoy, kill two in Pakistan

Peshawar, Feb 18 (AFP) Gunmen in a restive Pakistani tribal region today attacked a convoy of vehicles carrying military equipment bound for NATO operations in Afghanistan, killing two people, officials said. The convoy of some 25 vehicles came under attack after it got stuck in a traffic jam in Landi Kotal town in the Khyber tribal region. "At least three unidentified gunmen opened fire on the convoy, killing a driver and his helper and damaging two vehicles," senior local administration official Shakil Burki told AFP. He said the gunmen fled after the attack, adding that one person in the convoy was also injured. A senior local police official confirmed the incident and casualty toll. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault, but Pakistani Taliban have often attacked NATO convoys. Khyber is one of the seven semi-autonomous northwestern tribal regions where Pakistani military has launched a series of operations against Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants. Washington considers the tribal belt the main hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda rebels plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan. (AFP) SAI 02190026 NNNN