ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A key supply route for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan was blocked Tuesday by Pakistani troops beginning an offensive against militants, officials said.
Troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships began operations in the Khyber Pass, where vehicles carrying supplies to U.S. and NATO forces have been hijacked or attacked, the BBC reported.
"Supplies to NATO forces will remain suspended until we clear the area of militants and outlaws who have gone out of control," said Tariq Hayat, a Khyber leader.
Hayat said a curfew was instated and the main road to the Afghan border was closed. The operation in the Jamrud district would continue until the route to Kabul was secured, he said, adding that the operation could be extended to other areas of Khyber if need be.
The main border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Torkham also was closed, the British broadcaster reported.
Recently thousands of protesters have demonstrated in Peshawar, Pakistan, calling for an end to the supply route and to U.S. missile attacks on targets inside Pakistan.
