Accession Number:

ADA564137

Title:

Counterterrorism: U.S. Agencies Face Challenges Countering the Use of Improvised Explosive Devices in the Afghanistan/Pakistan Region

Descriptive Note:

Congressional testimony

Corporate Author:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Johnson, Jr, Charles M.

Report Date:

2012-07-12

Pagination or Media Count:

10.0

Abstract:

I am pleased to be here to discuss the collaborative efforts of U.S. agencies to detect and prevent the smuggling into Afghanistan of calcium ammonium nitrate CAN fertilizer produced in Pakistan. Approximately 80 percent of the improvised explosive devices IEDs in Afghanistan contain homemade explosives, primarily CAN smuggled from Pakistan. These IEDs have been a major source of fatalities among U.S. troops in Afghanistan and have been used by various insurgent groups in Pakistan to kill thousands of Pakistani civilians and members of Pakistani security forces. U.S. officials recognize the threat posed by the smuggling of CAN and other IED precursors from Pakistan into Afghanistan, and various U.S. departments, including the Department of Homeland Security DHS, are assisting Pakistan s government in countering this threat. My remarks today are based on our May 2012 report on this issue.1

Descriptors:

• *IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
• AFGHANISTAN
• COUNTERTERRORISM
• INSURGENCY
• NITRATES
• PAKISTAN
• SMUGGLING
• THREATS

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare
• Ammunition and Explosives

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE