PAKTIA, Afghanistan – Two Afghan civilians were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near Chamkani, Paktia province Aug. 13.
Local villagers spotted the IED on a well-travelled road and called the Afghan Border Patrol to investigate. When members of the ABP arrived, the IED detonated, striking the local civilians.
The victims were brought to a forward operating base in the area, where U.S. and Afghan medical personnel treated the injured. One casualty was treated and released, the other, a 65-year-old man, was flown to Gardez for follow-on care due to multiple broken limbs.
“This is another example of the blatant disregard insurgents have for the people of Afghanistan,” said Lt. Col. Donald Franklin, Special Operations Task Force-East commander.
Officials at the FOB said without being on scene, they could not determine why the civilians were so close to the IED, but suspect they may have been showing the ABP where it was located when it detonated.