NTS INFORMATION
The following information is gathered during NTS of the bridge:
• A police officer is questioned as a key informant. He reports a large blue drum on its side with cord protruding from it. • A UAV is used to observe the bridge in detail and a blue drum is confirmed. It appears to have blue detonating cord protruding from it and what appears to be a black safety (burning) fuze. • The police officer is questioned further and reports that a similar object was cleared by the army unit on the other side of the bridge approximately 40 days previously. The army unit has now left the area and cannot be contacted. • A woman working as a local shopkeeper reports that she believes at least one explosion has occurred in the vicinity of the bridge in the last 60 days. A child that went down to swim under the bridge lost a leg. • The police inform the NTS team that no one is currently allowed adjacent to, or under, the bridge.
The UAV is used to build a detailed picture of the terrain around the bridge. Each side of the bridge represents a channelled approach and a seat of an explosion can be observed on the left-hand side.
HME demolition charge
Igniferous time fuze
Image 10. Image taken by the UAV during NTS
OPERATIONAL THREAT SUMMARY
It is assessed that an igniferous time IED containing approximately 100 kg of HME is located directly under the bridge. It is probable that either the fuze was not ignited or a misfire occurred. It is assessed that the IED was not placed after the conflict in the area finished. The explosion that occurred is assessed to have probably been the result of a VOIED containing 1–2 kg of HME in a plastic container. This had probably been placed to protect the primary time IED. It is possible that further VOIEDs may be present.
WHO?
A non-state armed group (NSAG) placed, dropped or threw the IED(s).
WHO?
State armed groups were the target.
WHAT?
Large igniferous time-initiated blast IED, with secondary VOIEDs and small main charges.
WHEN?
The IEDs were placed at least six months previously.
WHERE?
Directly under the bridge abutment with the VOIEDs protecting potential approach routes.
The time IED is there to destroy the bridge, which was seen as critical infrastructure during the conflict. The VOIEDs are there to protect the time IED.
WHY?
IED threat assessment
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