KABUL, Afghanistan - Reports by local citizens in the mountainous southern province of Zabul led to the discovery and destruction of weapons and bomb-making materials in two districts in the province July 10 and 11.
A resident of Kulat district came to U.S. Special Operations Forces operating in Zabul July 10 with the location of bomb-making materials. The team investigated and found 227 kilograms of home-made explosives in 10 yellow jugs. The explosives were then destroyed at a safe location.
Later a Shin Kay District official assisted a USSOF team in finding a rocket-propelled grenade, 130 AK-47 rifle magazines without ammunition, and improvised explosive device material July 11.
After 17 IED attacks in Nawbahar and Atghar since March, Shin Kay District officials have become more vocal and more insistent on halting the violence in and around their district.
A U.S. Special Forces team leader said Afghan governing officials in the Shin Kay District are determined to make a difference and push insurgents out of their villages and cities.
Since March 2010, nine IEDs have been safely removed by Afghan and U.S. forces operating in Shin Kay District.