Troops Explode Caves Full of Weapons in Afghanistan
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PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In a thunderous blast heard and seen for miles, coalition forces blew up four caves Friday packed with tens of thousands of rockets, shells and grenades that once belonged to the Taliban--and were apparently still being used.
“There’s no way they’ll be able to go in there and use those caves now,” said Sgt. Iain Murison, as a huge dust cloud spread across the desolate hills and valleys of southeastern Afghanistan.
About 220 pounds of plastic explosives, fortified with anti-tank mines, were set off by remote control after people were evacuated from within a mile of the caves.
Ordnance inside the man-made caves continued to explode for hours; at least three rockets shot out and whizzed across the sky.
British forces discovered the cache earlier this week. The caves are 6 to 9 feet high and about 100 to 150 feet deep.
Some caves were sealed shut with metal doors, but at least one was left open.
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