15 dead; 13 fuel tankers burnt in Khyber

ISLAMABAD (PAN border, officials said on Saturday.

The first blast took place at late on Friday night, burning at least 13 oil tankers in a terminal near the Torkham dry port, resident Gul Khan Shinwari told Pajhwok Afghan News. A second explosion followed at 2 am in Landikotal town.

As people gathered to control the ensuing fire, another explosion occurred, killing 15 and wounding many others, the resident said. The remote-controlled device was planted under a tanker carrying fuel for NATO-led soldiers in Afghanistan.

One school, several houses, a vehicle and a mobile phone tower were destroyed, said witness Shah Nawaz. More than 30 people suffered casualties, he added. Some of the victims were charred beyond recognition.

Twenty-five people, including 15 bodies, were brought to the Landikotal Hospital, Dr. Ashfaq Zalan said. Most of the injured were in critical condition. The victims, including 10 individuals of a family, were youngsters who had gathered to collect the oil leaking from the tanker.

myn/mud