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BIGGEST EVER CACHE OF WEAPONS SEIZED
I don't recall seeing this here before, and just picked it up via Bill Roggio's 'The Fourth Rail'. If I missed it and am being repetitive, my apologies.BIGGEST EVER CACHE OF WEAPONS SEIZED Release #2006-015 14 March 2006 SHEBERGHAN - Afghanistan: This week in Sheberghan the largest cache of weapons ever found in Afghanistan has been handed over as part of the Disarmament of Illegally Armed Groups (DIAG) initiative. The recovery of this cache represents a major achievement for the Government of Afghanistan (GOA) and the Afghanistan New Beginnings Programme (ANBP) who, assisted by the ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Mazar-e-Sharif, negotiated the voluntary handover. ISAF experts have assessed the contents of the cache and initial findings suggest the presence of 1 bunker of detonators, 2 bunkers containing a total of 80 tonnes of Russian TNT, 1 bunker with 15,000 Anti Personnel and 10,000 Anti Tank mines, however, this is not confirmed at this time. A fifth bunker is also in the process of being assessed and examined. In addition to this cache, a local Commander has also handed in a significant amount of weapons and ammunition to the DIAG. The Sheberghan Governor, Joma Khan Hamdard said, "There are illegal weapons all over Afghanistan, not just in Sheberghan. We are trying to inform everyone to hand in illegal weapons." The Governor went onto state that he will vigorously pursue the handover of all illegal weapons. The safety of the people of Sheberghan has increased due to the destruction of these high explosives, whilst it has also decreased the risk of these weapons being used against the local population and international community. Members of the ANBP will destroy the cache. The recovery of such a large cache is a significant step towards the disarmament of illegally armed groups, which is the primary aim of the DIAG, in the Balkh and Jawzjan provinces and ensures greater security in the region. ISAF is supporting the DIAG process with second tier security and logistics support for the Government's collection of weapons and ammunitions. The handing over of this cache is a validation of the commitment of the GOA and the ANBP to bring sustainable security to the country, thus setting the conditions for good governance and the rule of law. These conditions will assist all the Afghan people in building a better future for their country. Posted by: Glenmore 2006-03-18 |
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