LANDI KOTAL, June 18: Unidentified militants have threatened the owners and drivers of vehicles to stop supplying oil and other goods to Nato forces in Afghanistan otherwise their vehicles would be attacked.

They dropped leaflets, written in Urdu, at various locations at Torkhum border and Landi Kotal bazaar, asking the owners and drivers of oil tankers and trailers to immediately abandon the business as they were helping ‘the infidel forces’ in Afghanistan.

The anonymous leaflets threatened that both vehicles and houses of those who were involved in the business would be blown up if they failed to adhere to the warning. Official of the local political administration also confirmed distribution of such leaflets and reportedly held talks with local elders and members of a peace committee of clerics.

It was also learnt that the political administration had advised the Customs officials to expedite the clearance of all Nato-related consignments and oil tankers in light of the threats. Sources said that nearly 400 containers and oil tankers daily crossed over to Afghanistan via Torkhum border. Most of the truckers in the past complained about the slow process of custom clearance at Torkhum border, saying it caused security problems.

At least 42 oil tankers were completely burnt down on March 23 this year when an explosive of high intensity went off in one of the vehicles which were parked near the border for almost a week due to slow process of custom clearance.

The incident also claimed lives of two locals and more then hundred others received burn injuries.The threatening leaflets not only terrified the tanker and trailer drivers but also frightened the local residents as well. No body has so far taken responsibility for dropping the leaflets.

When approached for his comments about the said leaflets, an outspoken cleric and a sympathiser of Taliban Hazrat Nabi alias Tamanche Mullah expressed unawareness about the leaflets but said that it could be the work of Afghan Taliban. “Afghan Taliban are very much active in this area and their involvement could not be ruled out,” he added.

Hazrat Nabi said that though he and his colleagues had nothing to do with the said leaflet, yet they were in favor of suspension of all sort of assistance to the American forces in Afghanistan.