MATUN DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Five off-duty Afghan National Police officers detained five people who were emplacing an improvised explosive device Feb. 17 on a road east of Khowst City, Khowst Province. 
The officers, stationed at the Terezai District Center, were traveling in their own personal vehicles and civilian attire, when they noticed two men setting up the IED. The officers stopped their vehicles to question the suspects, who claimed they were placing the explosives to harm the Americans, rather than the ANP. Three other men, suspected of being lookouts, were detained as well. 
The five detainees were taken to the district center for additional questioning, when another officer recognized one of the detainees.  ANP went to the suspect’s family compound and detained six additional men for questioning. 
Demolition experts successfully cleared the IED and its’ materials, while Afghan police secured the area, making the roadway safe for commerce and travel.
“The Afghan National Police are committed to thwarting insurgent activity in their neighborhoods,” said Army Capt. David Meier, Co. C, 70th Engineer Battalion commander. “We praise these heroes for their allegiance to the ANSF and the people of Afghanistan by disrupting the terrorist activity and detaining the insurgents. Afghan National Security Forces continue to help find and render IEDs safe, making the roads safer for Afghans.”
According to data collected by Coalition forces’ IED route clearance units, Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with Coalition forces, are finding, interdicting or receiving turned-in IEDs more often than these explosives are detonating on vehicles and people.