Villagers assist ANSF in removing weapons caches

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

01.16.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

Combined Joint Task Force-82
Combined Press Information Center

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Villagers throughout Nangarhar province recently alerted Afghan national security force soldiers to numerous weapons cache locations in Nangarhar province. The ANSF, assisted by coalition forces, recovered the weapons Jan. 14.

The combined force recovered TNT and materials in Jalalabad District used to make improvised explosive devices against ANSF, coalition personnel and Afghan citizens.

In Deh Bala District, the cache held anti-tank mines, mortar rounds, and rifle rounds.

"Alerting ANSF of the cache discoveries, or turning in weapons to government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan authorities shows that Afghan citizens are tired of insurgent activity in their region," explained Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman.

This is the second instance in as many months where Afghans have assisted in removing dangerous weapons from their villages.

Villagers in nearby Paktya province turned in more than 700 weapons and ammunition, including rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, hand grenades, anti-personnel mines, rifle rounds, mortars, anti-tank mines, remote-controlled improvised explosive devices, and machine guns.

"Afghan national security forces will continue to take these weapons out of the hands of insurgents, and make the area safer for residents," Belcher said.

• Date Taken: 01.16.2008
• Date Posted: 01.16.2008 11:52
• Story ID: 15496
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF