Weapons Recovery in Afghanistan

Explosive disposal experts serving with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan travelled to the north of Bamyan province, Afghanistan, this week to assist local authorities to destroy cached ammunition.  The cache  includes rockets, bombs and an array of weapons and small arms ammunition. 

Explosive Ordnance Disposal team member Chief Petty Officer Diver Graeme Meyer said the weapons being destroyed were generally found by locals, confiscated by police or surrendered to local authorities. The Provincial Director of Disarmament of Illegally Armed Groups (DIAG) loaned three Russian Kamaz trucks  to the NZPRT to assist in the recovery of weapons and unexploded ordnance in support of the programme for disarming Afghanistan.

Commander of the NZPRT, Group Captain Kevin Short , welcomed the loan of the three Kamaz.   “The NZPRT has a good working relationship with DIAG and these three vehicles will aid the NZPRT and DIAG in assisting the local government with stability and security in the region.  Having the trucks on hand for cache recovery benefits both teams and highlights the trust and co-operative working relationship we have.  This is a great win-win situation.”

Associated Articles and Images:

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal team at work in Bamyan
• Kiwi Troops work towards explosive-free Afghanistan
• Defence Battlefield clearance team get to work in Lebanon 
• Images from Afghanistan

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