Blasts destroy trucks carrying fuel to U.S. forces

updated 9:39 a.m. ET March 24, 2008

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Nearly 40 trucks carrying fuel to U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan were destroyed in two bomb attacks on the Pakistani border, officials said Monday.

About 100 people were wounded, said Muhammad Iqbal Khan, a local government official.

The explosions late Sunday were caused by two bombs planted in the parking lot of a customs station on the Pakistani side of the Torkham crossing, Khan said.

A day later, police detained nine people for questioning — three parking lot attendants and six border guards who were on duty at the time, he said.

Pakistani news channels showed footage of the blackened lot more than 100 meters (yards) wide, with investigators gingerly stepping over wreckage. A day after the explosions, fuel was still dripping from the charred tankers.

Coalition officials in Afghanistan were not immediately available to comment.

Fuel tankers headed for U.S. and NATO bases in Afghanistan have been repeatedly targeted by militants close to the Pakistani border.

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