Afghan land mines

[rov1200]

With our soldiers continually blown up with IEDs why is it the local population unnaffected? You would expect to see many Afghan amputees.

Do you believe they are in league with the Taliban?

[keyplus90]

No, its just that our media does not give a damn how many of them have been blown away.

[Lonnie]

The local population doesn't want us there, and I think it would be true that some of them are in with the Taliban, not all, but because its a guerilla war, you just can't tell wwho is a civilian and who is not.

but the truth is, the nationals won't help us, which means we can't win.

[Clanad]

Another consideration, however, is that most of the IED's are triggered by the enemy, obviously to elicit the most damage possible. In the truest sense of the word, they aren't land mines that require someone stepping on them.

The triggering is often done by using cellular phones or other transmitters. Little would be gained by setting off a high power IED targeting the civilian population...

[youngmafbog]

Perhaps the media dont know ?

They (and we) are not told everything. It is a war the other side reads the papers and watches TV too.

[Sqad]

Just a thought.

Coalition forces know that the IED's are by the roadside, then why use the road?

There is plenty of desert to use around the roads, which can easily be navigated on foot........I presume.

[Gromit]

Many civilians are killed by IEDs in Afghanistan, but we are not really interested, and when we are told we quickly forget.

http://www.thaindian....oundup_100253938.html

rov,
If you had bothered to google it, you would have found reports of civilian deaths. So, turning your wrong assessment of casualties on its head, do you think that the fact that the Taleban blow up Afghan civilians as well proves that they are not in league with the Taleban?

[rov1200]

Gromit I did google it but a lot of it was past history before we stepped up the conflict and before our soldiers were being injured by them. There are a lot of IED's laying around from past conflict with the Russians and many of those have not been cleared. I am talking about this new episode where many have been laid by the Taliban.

I believe there must be some form of communication between the Taliban and the tribes to prevent civilians entering the area.

We all witnessed what happened recently when the Taliban ambushed those 2 oil tankers and taken to tribal areas for use by the civilians.

My point is hearts and minds is pointless if we are talking to the other side not supporters of NATO.

[rov1200]

Clanad although you may be correct about the remote triggering of IEDs but it seems the Taliban still use the pressure plate ones that are activated by treading on them or vehicles going over them. Read this report handed to soldiers in the field:

http://afghanlessons....7/know-your-ieds.html

[rov1200]

I think this small section from a report answers my question. They are in league!

It is common to fine VI IEDs on routes that are not as heavily traveled by Afghans, and are usually on routes where the enemy can influence the locals to stay off of the route. The local areas can be informed of the threat so they don’t travel on the route. This raises the chance that only coalition forces will be the ones to initiate the IED.

[Gromit]

rov1200

I don't believed you read the link so here are some examples:

September 30, 2009
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A roadside bomb killed 30 people in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, officials said. More than 1,500 civilians have been killed by violence in Afghanistan so far this year, the United Nations said last week.

23rd September 2009
Kabul, Sep 23 (DPA) Twelve Afghan civilians including women and children were killed in two separate roadside bomb explosions in the south and southwestern regions, officials said Wednesday.

12th October 2009
Five civilians were killed Sunday in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan’s southern province of Zabul, an official said.

7th August 2009
Separate roadside bombings in volatile Helmand province today killed at least 26 people, including 21 members of a wedding party and five police officers, Afghan officials said.

25th March 2009
One roadside bomb killed 10 civilians Wednesday in a van along a route used by foreign troops in eastern Afghanistan

May 2008
A roadside bomb blast in south-western Afghanistan killed eight civilians,

Road side bombs + Afghanistan + civilians

i suggest you improve your googling skills.

By my rekoning, the scale of Afghan civilian deaths is far greater than the deaths to our troops. so, toi repeat my question to you,

Do you still think these civilians are colluding?

[Gromit]

You will find if you can be bothered, links to all those civilan roadside bomb deaths here:

http://www.google.co....Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

[Gromit]

Looking forward to your answer

[rov1200]

Gromit

We can swap links if you wish but maybe you mis read my question.

""Do you believe they are in league with the Taliban?""

Now read the answer to my link above:

""It is common to fine VI IEDs on routes that are not as heavily traveled by Afghans, and are usually on routes where the enemy can influence the locals to stay off of the route. The local areas can be informed of the threat so they don’t travel on the route. This raises the chance that only coalition forces will be the ones to initiate the IED. ""

Bombs have existed in Afghanistan for many years and civilians have been injured. Maybe you believe the tribes are on our side and wish to see the back of the Taliban.

[rov1200]

Gromit just in case you forgot to put your glasses on I repeat:

It is common to fine VI IEDs on routes that are not as heavily traveled by Afghans, and are usually on routes where the enemy can influence the locals to stay off of the route. The local areas can be informed of the threat so they don’t travel on the route.

[tamborine]

How come the afghan men all seem to be aged; they're few children, youths or young men in the crowds but mainly only old men to be seen.

[rov1200]

Gromit

I'd better point out my link again

http://afghanlessons....7/know-your-ieds.html

This was written as a blog by the men that know, the soldiers in the field operating every day against the telaban, they should know.