9 Oct. 2005

Disarming illegally armed Afghan groups News 9/10/2005 - AFNORTH ISAF supports weapons collection in Shar-E-Bozorg and Feyzabad Background NATO in Afghanistan On 9 October, NATO-led troops assisted Afghan authorities as they accepted the surrender of weapons belonging to illegally armed groups in the northern province of Badakhstan. The handover is part of the Afghan Government’s Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups intiative. It gives militia commanders who have not yet disarmed one more opportunity to do so voluntarily. 120 000 persons to be disarmed The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) provided helicopter support for the transportation and security of those involved in the handover. ISAF also provided an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team to assist with the evaluation of the ammunition, to ensure that it was safe for transportation. The NATO-led force will continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan as it seeks to disarm an estimated 120,000 illegally armed men and return them to civilian life. NATO-led forces have already assisted Afghan authorities in the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of former combatants, and the cantonment of heavy weapons belonging to militias.