ANSF, Coalition forces recover weapons caches in Nangarhar

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (March 1, 2008) - Recently, Afghans provided information leading to the recovery of a suspected insurgent weapons cache in Zawa Village of Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, near the Pakistan Border.

The cache, recovered Jan. 16, consisted of 93 recoilless-rifle rounds. Insurgents frequently use these weapons to attack Afghan National Security Forces or Coalition forces, or terrorize Afghan citizens throughout the province.According to a Coalition soldier, the weapons found were in good condition.

"Afghan citizens continue reporting weapons-cache locations and insurgent activity throughout Nangarhar," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. "Residents are tired of insurgent activity near their homes and in their districts. Information provided by villagers has led to recovery of hundreds of weapons throughout the province."In January, villagers' information also led to weapons recoveries in Deh Bala, Jalalabad District, Nangarhar Province."Recovering the munitions takes away from the insurgents' ability to conduct attacks in Nangarhar Province," Belcher said.

"It is clear that citizens of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are committed to government objectives to thwart insurgent activity in their neighborhoods," he said. "Afghan National Security Forces will continue to take these weapons out of the hands of insurgents, and make the area safer for residents."