IEDs discovered near Panjwai grape hut

KABUL): Afghan Local Police (ALP) discovered several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) emplaced near a grape hut in the Panjwai district of southern Kandahar province, the US military said on Friday.

The ALP engaged Taliban fighters with small arms fire, forcing them to retreat west into Zangabad near the Gargan Hills on Thursday, the Bagram-based forces said in a statement.

Under the command of Rahd Shah, the police moved toward the grape hut where they discovered two pressure plate improvised explosive devices (PPIED) placed in the ground and two more stored inside the grape hut, it said

“I want to rid the area of all Taliban and their IEDs,” the statement quoted Paye Maluk ALP checkpoint commander, Rahd Shah, as saying.  “I want to make the area safe again so that all of my family and the rest of the villagers can return.”

Elders and villagers of Paye Maluk currently live in Kandahar City for fear of what might happen if they return to their homes.

Last week, a Taliban-emplaced IED killed one Afghan child and severely wounded another near the entrance of their family’s grape hut in the district.

The victims were trying to gather food to feed their family’s animals when they stepped on the IED.

pr/ma

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