Villager helps Afghan Forces find weapons caches

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

12.11.2011

Story by Sgt. Dayan Neely 

19th Public Affairs Detachment

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – A villager provided information to the Puzeh Afghan Local Police chief, Omar Ghul, about a weapons cache in the Daburai village, Sangin district, Helmand province, Dec. 11.

The ALP found the weapons cache approximately 400 meters west of the village’s local gas station exactly where the villager said.

Afterward, ALP reported the situation to the coalition Special Operations Forces team in the area, who helped identify and inventory the cache.

The cache contained at least 1,000 rounds of 12.7 mm heavy machine gun ammunition, seven rocket-propelled grenades, more than 500 rounds of 7.62-caliber ammunition, two grenades, three ammunition-carrying vests, and a Dishka heavy machine gun spare barrel with tripod.

“Local villagers continue to show support of the ALP and gain confidence in them through [the ALP’s] tireless work to increase the security in the Puzeh village and surrounding villages,” said a SOF team member.

While conducting a follow-up patrol in the area, the combined forces discovered two more weapons caches near an abandoned compound in Ghora village.

The caches consisted of four 60 mm mortar rounds, two bolt-action rifles, one 40 mm under-slung grenade launcher, two rocket-propelled grenades and extra components, and more than 1,000 7.62-caliber rifle rounds.

“We expect that more historical caches will be identified as local nationals report them to the [Afghan Local Police] and us in the future,” said the SOF team member.

While gathering the cache’s contents, the combined forces set up a security bubble to ensure all civilians were at a safe distance. Afterward, SOF explosive ordnance disposal conducted a controlled detonation of the caches.

“The ALP responding to villagers providing information on caches and improvised explosive devices demonstrates the trust villagers have in the ALP and other Afghan forces’ ability to provide security and prevent potential injuries or casualties in the area,” said the SOF team member.

No civilians were injured and no property damage was reported during the patrol.

• Date Taken: 12.11.2011
• Date Posted: 12.15.2011 05:56
• Story ID: 81415
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF