With attempts at negotiations ongoing, troops have seized 2.5 tons of explosives, enough material for 300 bombs. They just might begin to suspect a lack of sincerity in negotiations on the Taliban’s part. “Taliban is planning ‘spectacular’ terrorism attack warns British Army chief in Afghanistan,” from the Daily Mail, August 11:
The Taliban is planning a terrorism ‘spectacular’ in Afghanistan, a British army chief has warned after a massive seizure of bomb-making equipment.
Brigadier Ed Davis hailed the capture of a lethal haul over the past four months which could have been used to make 300 bombs, designed to kill and maim UK soldiers.
But despite the success so far Brig Davis warned that Taliban fighters would continue to focus on launching large-scale terrorist atrocities, including attempts to assassinate Afghan government ministers.
‘A hardcore are left that are difficult to kill or capture and sophisticated in their targeting,’ he said, according to the Telegraph.
‘They will look at more spectacular attacks and high-profile attacks targeting ISAF and Afghan commanders.
‘They are very competent, they have been doing this for a very long time and their tactics, techniques and procedures have evolved like ours.’
He added: ‘Since we have been here we have interdicted just over 2.5 tons of home-made explosive, which equates to about two months of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), which is about 300 in total.’
However, Brig Davis, who commands Task Force Helmand and leads 3 Commando Brigade, said there is hope that the population in Afghanistan is helping British soldiers, noting that 40 per cent of IEDs uncovered by UK troops were found after tip-offs from Afghan villagers….
Never mind the “hearts and minds.” Try the concept of “Not In My Backyard.”