Weapon Caches Uncovered In Afghanistan

Weapon Caches Uncovered In Afghanistan

Australia’s 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2), in partnership with the Afghan National Army (ANA), continues to interrupt insurgent operations with the discovery of a series of signification cache finds in southern Afghanistan.

Over a 24 hour period, the ANA and MRTF-2 security operations uncovered six caches of weapons containing a significant quantity of ammunition and improvised explosive device components.

This included rifles and quantities of ammunition for pistols, rifles and larger calibre weapons, along with a considerable number of rocket propelled grenades.

These discoveries bring to 55 the number of caches uncovered by ANA and Australian forces during Operation BAZ PANJE, which was launched in late September to clear former insurgent strongholds in the Mirabad valley, in the Oruzgan Province, according to Acting Chief of Joint Operations, Air Vice Marshal Greg Evans.

“These finds during the current harsh Afghan winter will have a direct and significant impact on the security and safety of the Afghan population,” Air Vice Marshal Evans said.

“It prevents these munitions being used against locals, as well as the Afghan National Security Force and ISAF forces.”

Since Operation BAZ PANJE concluded in early December, the ANA and MRTF-2 have uncovered an additional seven caches in the Mirabad valley, increasing the total number of cache finds in the area to 62.

Media notes: Still imagery is available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/images/gallery/2009/1230/index.htm

Video of Commanding Officer MRTF-2, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hocking, is available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/video/2009/Dec/video.htm

ENDS

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