KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers with the Afghan National Army neutralized an insurgent motorcycle borne improvised explosive device, Dec. 30, denying insurgents the ability to disrupt the security and commerce of the local population.

The motorcycle borne improvised explosive device was discovered early in the morning in a local bazaar while the shopkeepers were preparing to open for the day. Suspicious, the villagers immediately reported the motorcycle to the ANA who were patrolling the area.

The ANA soldiers reacted quickly, secured the area and inspected the motorcycle to determine if it was a threat. Once the motorcycle borne improvised explosive device was identified, the ANA soldiers moved the motorcycle borne improvised explosive device to a secure location and neutralized it.

The willingness of the locals to report the motorcycle borne improvised explosive device to the ANA shows trust in the Afghan National Security Forces and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as well as the proficiency of the ANA who were able to identify the threat, secure the location and the local population and remove the motorcycle borne improvised explosive device without incident.

This is another example of ANSF conducting independent operations in one of the most important districts in Afghanistan.