International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan – Afghan border policemen from the Garbuz District of Khost province, Afghanistan seized weapons and explosives during routine checkpoint stops, Sept. 16.

The ABP were alerted by another check point tower that a vehicle may be attempting to avoid an Afghan national security forces check point. The ABP quickly intercepted the vehicle and immediately questioned the driver.

The ABP instructed the driver to move his vehicle to the customs check point and the driver refused. The ABP moved back to the operations center and driver of the vehicle fled.

ABP moved the vehicle to their combat outpost for further examination.

While moving the vehicle, the ABP took small arms fire. They quickly returned fire causing the enemy threat to flee.

During the inspection of the confiscated vehicle, approximately 2500lbs of explosive material was discovered.

"The ABP's diligence of stopping any suspicious vehicles from crossing into Afghanistan shows they are hard at work," said Maj. Matthew Gregory, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer.

In a separate incident in the same location, paratroopers from 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division and ABP stopped two additional vehicles crossing over from Pakistan. After stopping these vehicles, the ABP found 29 AK-47s and two chest racks.

"The removal of these explosives and weapons greatly decreases the effectiveness of the enemies of Afghanistan to carry out operations meant to cause harm to our paratroopers and the innocent Afghans," Gregory said. "This incident also shows the continued effectiveness of the ANSF and constant progress Afghan security forces are making to completely take the reins of responsibly for security for their country."

ABP detained three individuals from this incident and secured the weapons.

All the explosive found were turned over to Explosive Ordinance Detachment personnel for disposal.

No ANSF, ISAF personnel were injured during this incident.

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