Afghanistan seizes 156 sacks of bomb-making material

Afghan security forces have seized 156 sacks of ammonium nitrate from the back of a vegetable truck coming from Pakistan, local officials say.

Afghan security forces have seized 156 sacks of ammonium nitrate from the back of a vegetable truck coming from Pakistan, local officials say.

The bomb-making material was discovered during an operation in Momand Dara district of the southern Afghan province of Nangarhar on Sunday.

A spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar confirmed that intelligence officers found nearly eight tonnes of the chemical “brought for insurgent activities” and hidden under sacks of vegetables on the truck at Torkham border crossing.

Militant groups frequently use explosive materials for roadside bombings and car bomb attacks to target Afghan security personnel. However, most of the time ordinary civilians are targeted.