Afghan special forces, police destroy seven rockets in Helmand

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.05.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Richard Lower 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces removed seven 107mm rockets, commonly used in attacks that result in civilian casualties, Dec. 31 from Helmand province’s Marjeh district.

Afghan National Army Special Forces from the 7th Special Operations Kandak and Afghan Local Police found the rockets by following up on information received during operations in the area.

“There was a rocket attack in Lashkar Gah two to three weeks ago,” said Tooryali Khan, district police chief. He said the operation was critical in stopping attacks against the people in the district and those in the neighboring Lashkar Gah district.

ANASF coordinated with Khan to ensure local police were able to provide support and security for the operation.

“It was critical that we moved quickly on these rockets,” said an ANASF commander. “We did not have time to wait and see when the insurgents would attack innocent people next.”

“These rockets could have been fired into the city, or used for improvised explosive devices,” said Khan. “The Taliban would use these rockets against innocent people.”

The combined ANASF and police force safely destroyed all the confiscated weaponry.

• Date Taken: 01.05.2014
• Date Posted: 01.05.2014 11:22
• Story ID: 118854
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF