Weapons, explosives seized in Helmand operation

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Security forces have seized a huge quantity of light and heavy weapons and explosives during a search operation in southern Helmand province, an official said on Tuesday.

The weapons and explosives were found and seized during raids on homes and agriculture fields in the Trikh Nawar area of Marja district on Monday, Helmand’s 604th Zone border police commander, Brig. Sultan Mahmood, said.

He said the seizure included 10 light and heavy weapons, 101 rocket shells, 80 landmines, 200 kilograms of explosives and hundreds of bullets of Kalashnikov and machinegun. Police also confiscated a vehicle belonging to the Taliban, he added.

The border police commander said the area had been a stronghold of Taliban before they were driven as a result of an ongoing operation and therefore more weapon catches were expected to be found.

He said the fleeing insurgents had been unable to take with them their weapons. Mahmood said maintaining security in Trikh Nawar needed a lot of work due to the area’s complex geographic location.

Security forces have established three large and several small check-posts in the area, according to Mahmood, who informed construction works on the area’s roads had been launched to facilitate security forces’ movement.

Security forces had previously also seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions in the area, which is considered the most dangerous in Helmand.

A security operation codenamed “Zulfikar” has been ongoing in the area over the past five weeks to subdue insurgents.

The area, 10 kilometres from Lashkargah, the provincial capital, had been under Taliban’s control over the past eight years and served as their stronghold.

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