Non-Subscriber Extract
Home-made horror
14 September 2009
A soldier searches for IEDs. (PA)
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have become the principle weapon in Afghanistan's insurgency. The mostly simple devices are taking a steadily rising toll on coalition and Afghan forces, reducing their ability to manoeuvre, undermining public support in countries contributing to the coalition and increasing the perception of insecurity.
IED activity in Afghanistan is increasing exponentially. A senior source serving with Task Force Paladin, a counter-IED unit, told Jane's that there had been an approximately 50 per cent increase in incidents from 2007 to 2008 and expected "at least that much if not more for 2009".
IEDs are responsible for the majority of coalition fatalities. According to the icasualty.org website, which tracks coalition fatalities using official statements, 132 of the 201 (66 per cent) coalition soldiers killed in hostile incidents in the first seven months of 2009 died in attacks involving IEDs.