ISAF Joint Command
04.29.2010 KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-international security force recently captured a Taliban cell leader who had emplaced improvised explosive devices in and around an Afghan children's school in Kandahar.
The joint force had received intelligence that a Taliban IED cell was operating around Kuhak, in Kandahar province.
During the subsequent operation the security force captured the Taliban IED leader and several other cell members. A search of the area uncovered command detonation wires in a field across the road from the Kuhak children's school. The joint patrol followed the command wires and discovered nine buried IEDs.
Four of the IEDs were buried on the side of the road running beside Kuhak school. Two more of the IEDs were buried outside the gate of the school. Three IEDs were uncovered in the school courtyard, where the students congregate.
ISAF explosive experts said if the IEDs had been detonated while the school was in session numerous casualties would likely have occurred. The roadside IEDs were determined to be too dangerous to move and were blown in place creating large craters. The IEDs immediately around the school and in the student courtyard were dug up and safely removed by ISAF forces.
U.N. reports have noted that a vast majority of civilian casualties are the result of insurgent IEDs. The motivation for the Taliban's decision to emplace IEDs in and around an Afghan children's school remains unclear.
Four of the IEDs were buried on the side of the road running beside Kuhak school. Two more of the IEDs were buried outside the gate of the school. Three IEDs were uncovered in the school courtyard, where the students congregate.
ISAF explosive experts said if the IEDs had been detonated while the school was in session numerous casualties would likely have occurred. The roadside IEDs were determined to be too dangerous to move and were blown in place creating large craters. The IEDs immediately around the school and in the student courtyard were dug up and safely removed by ISAF forces.
U.N. reports have noted that a vast majority of civilian casualties are the result of insurgent IEDs. The motivation for the Taliban's decision to emplace IEDs in and around an Afghan children's school remains unclear.
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