56 mines, 12 mortar shells destroyed in Kunar mine-clearance operation — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Interior says a police engineering team has discovered and destroyed 56 pressure mines and 12 mortar shells in Sarkano district of eastern Kunar province. According to a statement issued by the ministry, the explosives were found during a mine-clearance operation in the Shunkari Valley, where they had been buried near the de facto boundary line. The statement quoted Qari Sibghatullah, head of the engineering team, as saying that the mines posed a serious threat to the lives of civilians and animals. He said the explosives were safely neutralized and destroyed as part of efforts to improve security and protect local residents. Sibghatullah added that the engineering team continues to clear areas contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance in order to protect lives and property and prevent possible incidents. Security officials have urged residents to avoid approaching unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects and to immediately report them to security authorities.