KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Oct. 4, 2011) – Afghan Uniform Police officers stationed near Nalgham in central Zharay district, detained three insurgents, Sept. 26, suspected of emplacing several improvised explosive devices, including one that killed five U.S. Soldiers in August.
Patrol leaders with the uniform police were conducting a dismounted patrol along the main route in Nalgham, when they noticed the three individuals acting suspiciously. The officers questioned the men, and then searched the compound the three men were occupying. Within the compound, the Afghan police officers discovered two complete pressure-plate IEDs, IED components, and a push-to-talk radio.
Soldiers from Combined Task Force Spartan’s 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, were called to the scene, along with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, and conducted a controlled detonation of approximately 30 pounds of homemade explosive material. Additionally at the scene, the coalition forces Soldiers administered explosive residue tests to all three men, each of whom tested positive for explosives. During tactical questioning of the three individuals, each gave different answers, further increasing suspicion of the men’s activities.
The three men were transferred to a nearby base for further questioning by Afghan officials.
Five U.S. Soldiers were killed in the same area, Aug. 11, after their vehicle hit a large pressure-plate IED on the same route where the men were initially detained.
The commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. Kenneth Mintz, believes the capture of the three insurgents will have a lasting impact on insurgent operations in central Zharay district.
“The removal of these insurgents will definitely impact the effectiveness of the cell,” Lt. Col. Mintz said. “Additionally, the audacious and autonomous actions of the Nalgham police are laudable.”