Afghan Special Security Forces conducted a nighttime operation in Kharwar District, Logar Province, Apr. 12-13, 2018. They seized 500 kilograms of urea and other materials for making homemade explosives.
Urea nitrate is a fertilizer-based high explosive that has been used in improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and in various other terrorist acts elsewhere in the world, like the 1993 World Trade Center bombings.
The Mani Kalay Bazaar, where the materials where seized, has served as a hub for Taliban/Haqqani network leadership to facilitate the sale and storage of narcotics. The removal of HME and other IED materials disrupts their ability to conduct high-profile attacks in the region.
“U.S. and Afghan strikes against Taliban narco-insurgency enablers are destroying the revenue stream that allows the Taliban to function.” said Resolute Support Commander, Gen. John Nicholson.