ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-07-CA-030
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 6) - The Afghan National Police (ANP), assisted by international security forces, destroyed an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a soccer field in Khakrez district in northern Kandahar Province Saturday.

The IED discovery comes as ANP are working to improve safety and security for residents of Kandahar Province.

"It's hard not to believe this was an attempt to target local children or Afghan families who play on this soccer field," said a Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) team sergeant involved in the response.

Combined forces received information on the IED as an anonymous tip from local residents in the Khakrez area. Members of the ANP initially located the IED and established security around the field to ensure the safety of local residents. Afterward, an explosive ordnance disposal squad investigated and indentified the IED as an antipersonnel mine. The device was then disarmed and removed from the soccer field. International military officials working in the Kandahar area said the IED discovery is a step forward in the growing cooperation and partnerships between the military and local citizens.

"The Afghan police demonstrated their competence and effectiveness in the operation," said Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Kosterman, a CJSOTF-A spokesperson. "We will continue supporting the ANP in their efforts to bring security to their country as needed."