PESHAWAR, Feb 26: Another blast in Garhi Qamardin on Saturday set ablaze the already damaged oil tankers, carrying fuel to Nato forces in Afghanistan, while police recovered three more explosive devices from the area.

The SHO of Bala Mani police station, Fazal Maula Khan, said that they were searching the surrounding area when a huge blast took place and fire erupted in a damaged oil tanker. The fire also engulfed the rest of damaged vehicles, he added.

He said that police continued to search the area and recovered three more explosive devices in the afternoon.

The official said that personnel of Bomb Disposal Unit successfully defused the magnet explosives, which had been packed in ghee canisters and weighed about six kilograms.

He said all those tankers had been damaged in an attack on Friday, but they still contained oil. That's why movement of the people was restricted by deploying 20 policemen in the area, he said.

However, the SHO was unable to tell as to how the fresh attack was carried out at the same site in the presence of policemen. “I just escaped shrapnel,” he said.

He said that workers of an insurance company wanted to check the tankers but he did not allow them as situation was still dangerous till the oil were completely removed from the damaged tankers.

Power supply remained suspended to the entire area for the second consecutive day owing to damage caused to the supply line by the massive fire. The shops of auto mechanics and truck terminals also remained closed.

The closure of a lane of Ring Road led to continuous traffic jam on the busy road, causing hardships to the motorists.

Another police official said that government should restrict parking of oil tankers near populated areas as they posed serious threat to the lives of people.

He said that local police had limited personnel and it was impossible for them to take appropriate steps for protection of Nato tankers and trailers. It was duty of the government to deploy special force for the purpose, he added.

A case, he said, was registered at Bala Mani police station. He added that some suspects had been arrested but there was no militant among them. He said that people of the surrounding villages might be involved in the sabotage incidents.