Villagers lead ANSF to more weapons cache recoveries in Nangarhar Province

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

01.29.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Reporting from villagers in Nangarhar Province led to the recovery of several weapons caches by Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces Jan. 27.

In Bonta, Dara Noor District, in the northernmost section of Nangarhar Province, villagers reported a weapons cache consisting of 30 rocket-propelled grenades and five anti-personnel mines. A week earlier, in Trelay Village, Achin District, on the Pakistan border, reports led to another weapons cache, this one containing 20 anti-personnel mines.

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

In December and January, Nangarhar citizens have provided information leading to the recovery of several other weapons caches hidden in villages by suspected insurgents.

In Deh Bala District, which borders Pakistan, villagers discovered a weapons cache consisting of five anti-tank mines, 20 120mm mortar rounds, five 82mm mortar round and three 82mm recoilless rifle rounds Jan. 14.

In the Jalalabad District of northern Nangarhar Province, the combined force recovered nine blocks of TNT, 22 fuses and a Chinese-made projectile Jan. 14.

The cache in Khogyani District, recovered Jan. 16, consisted of 68 82mm and 25 75mm recoilless rifle rounds. Insurgents frequently use these weapons to attack ANSF or Coalition forces, or terrorize Afghan citizens throughout the province.

In December, villagers in nearby Paktya Province turned in more than 700 weapons and munitions, including 247 rocket-propelled grenades and three launchers, 99 hand grenades, 124 anti-personnel mines, 11 82mm recoilless rifle rounds, 14 82mm mortars, 10 anti-tank mines, 200 anti-tank mine fuses, three remote-controlled improvised explosive devices, four Kalashnikov machine guns, and two RPD machine guns.

"Recovering these weapons will enhance security throughout Nangarhar Province," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. "Insurgents will be unable to use these weapons against ANSF or Coalition forces."

"Afghan National Security Forces will continue to take these weapons out of the hands of insurgents, and make the area safer for residents," said a Coalition soldier.

• Date Taken: 01.29.2008
• Date Posted: 01.29.2008 11:31
• Story ID: 15885
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF