Local Citizens Provide Afghan Army with Tip on Weapons Storage

In reports from Combined Joint Forces in Afghanistan, a storage of ammunition was discovered and taken by Afghan National Security forces in the area of Sherzad Dara Noor District in Nangarhar Province.

The mission was conducted in the village of Lamatak by Afghan National Security forces after receiving a tip to the possibility of a storage area containing ammunition in the general area. The area mentioned in the information was searched by the military forces and a storage of various weapons was uncovered. The discovery included two anti personnel mines, 186 rocket propelled grenade boosters, on anti tank mine, and two hand grenades.

The tip was given to the Afghan National Security forces by local civilians in Lamatak, Sherzad Dara Noor District. Citizens of Afghanistan are given monetary rewards for their help and information if it leads to a discovery of weapons. The program that the money is distributed through is called the Small Rewards Program. The purpose of the Small Rewards Program is to support the efforts of those citizens that are willing to help in freeing the Republic of Afghanistan of those items that could harm the public or government.

"Afghans citizens are taking responsibility for their protection and safety every day," said Army Major Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. "This is an excellent example of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan developing its own intelligence and preventing Taliban fighters from wounding and killing Afghan civilians."

In other areas of Afghanistan, some enemy fighters were killed during a mission by Coalition forces to break up foreign fighters and operations working with weapon distribution. The mission was conducted in the Helmand Province.

A suspect thought to be connected to smuggling weapons in the Helmand Province was the target of the mission. It is also thought that the individual is connected to a Taliban leader that deals in weapons and explosives and that he knows of foreign fighter movements within the area.