ALP, CF find and destroy homemade explosives lab

BARAKI BARAK DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

05.21.2013

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Tawanna Starks 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan Local Police, assisted by coalition forces, found and destroyed a large homemade explosives laboratory near Kashmiri Bala village, Baraki Barak district, Logar province, May 21.

Afghan Local Police found and identified the structure as an explosives lab during the joint checkpoint patrol.

“ALP has proven very effective in Logar because they live in the villages they defend,” said Logar Provincial Governor Arsala Jamal.

The laboratory contained 36kg of potassium chloride, 34kg of ammonium nitrate, several hand grenades, and two rocket-propelled grenade warheads.

Coalition forces destroyed the structure, and all contents contained within, after ensuring the safety of all civilians nearby.

After completion of the building’s destruction, three to five insurgents engaged the joint forces with small arms fire. The insurgents retreated by fleeing on foot through a civilian medical facility when the joint forces returned small arms fire.

“The insurgents attempt propaganda against the ALP but will fail because the ALP is supported by their families and communities,” said Jamal. “We will continue to improve our recruiting and retention of only the most moral people in the ALP.”

Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supporting rural areas with limited Afghan National Security Forces presence, enabling conditions for improved security, governance and development.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2013
• Date Posted: 05.26.2013 11:22
• Story ID: 107600
• Location: BARAKI BARAK DISTRICT, AF