In this case, the satellite images offer a visual indication of Pakistan’s ability to stop American forces in their tracks. The blockade came after months of mounting tension between U.S and Pakistani officials, with the number of American drone strikes on Pakistani territory hitting an all-time high — at least 21 — in September. But officials in Pakistan were spurred to retaliate after NATO helicopters chased militant suspects into Pakistani territory late last month, and NATO helicopters killed two of the country’s soldiers who fired their guns in an attempt “to warn the helicopters of their presence.”

Pakistani officials knew just what to leverage in an effort at retribution: On September 29th, Pakistan’s government shut down the primary land route for NATO trucks delivering supplies to forces in Afghanistan. Around 50 percent of non-lethal resources for the war effort enter Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing.

Of course, the idling convoys quickly became sitting ducks for insurgent strikes. Pakistani militants and criminals attacked and destroyed at least 150 trucks, often using machine guns and rockets, killing at least six people and injuring dozens more. The country’s law enforcement authorities publicly withheld security for the stalled trucks or their drivers, most of whom are Pakistani citizens working on contract.

“This is a private business and they have their own security,” Mir Waiz Niaz, senior superintendent of police in Islamabad, tells the New York Times. “The government gives advice on security and gives advice on where they can place their terminals, but the security is up to the private contractors.”

The 10-day blockade and ensuing violence are an apt reminder of the tenuous and tangled nature of U.S.-Pakistan relations, and a catalyst for even more hostility. But despite the mess, the Pentagon continues to downplay their dependency on Pakistan’s borders.

“We don’t put all our eggs in one basket,” Colonel David Lapan told reporters last week.

Video: DigitalGlobe

See Also:

• Intel Sharing Falls Short on Afghan-Pakistan Border
• East Afghan Plan: Choke the ‘Rat Lines,’ Secure the Roads
• David Petraeus: The Danger Room Interview
• Finding a Detour Around the Khyber Pass
• NATO Helos Killed Pak Troops Who Gave ‘Warning’

Authors: Katie Drummond

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