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 PESHAWAR: Pakistan has continued to block NATO supplies from Pakistan to Afghanistan for the fourth consecutive day in Khyber Agency on Sunday. Pakistan halted convoys of supplies from Thursday, after cross-border firing in Kurram Agency by NATO helicopters resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani soldiers. According to sources, all convoys had been halted for the fourth day, but high level negotiations between US and Pakistani officials continue to solve the problem. Earlier on Thursday, an official at Torkham, the main border crossing in Pakistan's Khyber district, said, "The situation is the same. The border is blocked for NATO supplies." Trucks and oil tankers formed long queues along the Torkham border areas in a constant wait for reopening of the roads. NATO while giving an explanation on the cross border assault, said that an aircraft had entered Pakistani airspace on Thursday, in self-defense, and killed "several armed individuals" after the crews believed they had been fired at from the ground. After last week's deadly air strike that claimed lives of three Pakistani soldiers, the cross border violation toll of NATO forces reached four. Khyber Agency is situated on the main NATO supply route through Pakistan into Afghanistan, where more than 152,000 US and NATO forces are fighting an intensifying Taliban insurgency for last many years. This route carries great importance for efficient supplies to NATO forces, engaged in a dangerous and deadly war against extremists in a very unfriendly terrain. If this blockade continues, it may cause great difficulties for NATO forces to continue their war against terrorists |