Oil tankers catch fire, gunshots heard in Islam Qala port in W. Afghanistan

HERAT, Afghanistan -- Several oil and liquid gas tankers caught fire and gunshots were heard in the customs office of the dry port of Islam Qala that connects Afghanistan to Iran on Saturday, provincial government spokesman Jilani Farhad said.

The fire devoured numerous oil tankers and damaged some other areas, the official said.

The provincial government has ordered the local fire brigade to the scene and has also sought help from the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission to assist local authorities in extinguishing the fire, Farhad added.

Farhad did not say whether the incident was a terrorist act, saying that investigation could determine the reason.

Herat Provincial Governor Wahid Qatali, according to local media, has sought the support of Iran in fighting the fire to save traders' goods stranded in the area.

Islam Qala is the biggest dry port that links landlocked Afghanistan to Iran.