June 21, peacekeepers of the Lithuanian-led PRT-11 destroyed an undetonated cluster bomb that threatened wellbeing of inhabitants of Chaghcharan.
PRT-11 began actions of identification and neutralisation upon receiving a report about an undetonated explosive found in the city of Chaghcharan. Having arrived at the reported location PRT deminers and representatives of the National Security Department of Afghanistan identified the explosive as an aviation bomb bomblet, otherwise called cluster bomb. The device dated back to the Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan.
The bomb could not be transported for destruction to the shooting range so PRT-11 deminers neutralised it on the street. Neither people nor environment were damaged.
Officers and inhabitants of Ghor often turn for help to PRT Demining Division who have capabilities and skills necessary to neutralise explosives. A great many of unexploded ammunition that remained in Ghor after three decades of wars and armed conflicts cause danger for local inhabitants. Besides, troops of Chaghcharan PRT read lectures to children in provincial schools on safe behaviour in case of finding an explosive.
Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team of Ghor based in Chaghcharan, provincial capital, is a joint military-civilian mission operating under the NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Lithuania took responsibility for the PRT of Ghor province based in Chaghcharan in summer of 2005. The main objective of the PRT mission is to assist the Central Government of Afghanistan to extend its authority throughout the province, to ensure security and to help built environment favourable for provincial reconstruction.
Together with around 150 civilians and servicemen form Lithuania PRT includes members from Denmark, Georgia, Japan, US, Romania and Ukraine.
PIO for PRT-11 Capt. Darius Toleikis
