The Canadian Forces in Afghanistan destroyed about 680 kilograms of material that was to be used to make improvised explosive devices, Canadian military officials said Sunday.
The Forces' Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team destroyed about 100 IEDs, which pose one of the biggest threats to the lives of both coalition troops and civilians in the war-torn country.
Military officials say that nearly 90 per cent of IEDs and other bombs in Kandahar City are found and destroyed before they can be detonated. They say local residents are becoming more willing to report explosives when they spot them.
"We've seen a dramatic change in the way we find IEDs and the way local nationals know what's going on," said one member of the EOD team who can't be identified. "So the information is coming our way, so we're more proactive. We can actually be two steps ahead of the bomber."
Assistance from locals not only gets bombs off the streets, officials say, but also shows that trust is growing between Afghans and members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
"IEDs are the largest threat to both Afghan nationals here as well as to Canadian Forces and coalition forces in ISAF," said Major Vance White. "So working with the Kandaharis to build their confidence in not only coalition forces but also their local security forces, it's very important."
The area southwest of Kandahar City, close to where the majority of Canadian forces in Afghanistan are stationed, is well known for insurgent activity, which includes the setting of roadside IEDs.
The devices are responsible for 40 of the 97 Canadian military fatalities in Afghanistan.
