Local villagers aid in Explosives recovery

1st Brigade, 11th Airborne Division
Story by Sgt. Thomas Duval

Date: 10.14.2011
Posted: 10.15.2011 11:47
News ID: 78547

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – An Afghan shura member, with the support of a local farmer, delivered fifteen pounds of homemade explosives to the Afghan Uniformed Police in the Panjwai district, in southern Afghanistan today.

According to a report the farmer discovered the HME while tending to his farm and immediately alerted officials.

The cooperation by villagers in the Panjwai district continues to increase as the Taliban’s strong hold on the area is rapidly replaced by a stronger more resilient Afghan National Security Force.

Homemade explosives continue to threaten the lives of both Afghan and U.S. lead forces and in some cases even threaten the lives of innocent villagers, who stumble on make-shift IED’s planted by insurgents.

The commander of the Afghan National Army’s Signal Company, 5th Kandak, 205th Corps, addressed the threat of IED’s and said it’s the only weapon used by the Taliban because it is easy to make and they are scared to fight the ANSF face to face because the Taliban’s defeat would be imminent.

Confidence in the ANSF is continuing to grow as more and more villagers are notifying and alerting government officials of the often unseen threats.