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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — At least three men, including two Pakistani nationals, are in custody after Afghan national security forces intercepted two planned road side bomb attacks and uncovered a car full of explosives on Saturday.
One of the bombs had been placed near a school in Kandahar. The second explosive was found in Spin Boldak, a community located near the Pakistan border.
The plot was uncovered after police stopped two vehicles, including a taxi, in Kandahar City around 5:45 p.m. local time. One of the vehicles was transporting mines and artillery shells.
One of the suspects told Afghan reporters at a news conference that he had been paid $150 (Cdn.) to drive one of the vehicles from the border area with Pakistan to Kandahar City.
The bust is a major coup for the Afghan security officials at a time when NATO forces are preparing for increased fighting as the annual poppy harvest ends in southern Afghanistan.
Provincial police Chief Sayed Aka Sakib told reporters the explosives found in the vehicle were being transported to Taliban fighters, likely in the Panjwai district southwest of Kandahar city, an area rife with violence.
"They were giving bombs from Pakistani Taliban to Afghan Taliban," he said, adding that the investigation was on-going and more arrests were expected.
The Canadian military helped detonate the improvised explosive device found near the school in Kandahar. So far this month, Canadian soldiers have discovered and cleared at least 14 roadside bombs.
The majority of the 83 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan have died in roadside bombings.
With a report from Canadian Press
