103 sites cluster bombed in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- The United Nations Mine Action Program on Monday said it has received a list of 103 sites in Afghanistan where coalition planes dropped cluster bombs.

According to UNMAP Director Eric Falt, "Details are still awaited on 25 of these sites. However, "No cluster bombs seem to have been used within the confines of Kabul," he said.

"The numbers of unexploded bomblets is less than expected, and Halo Trust, part of the United Nations Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan, is almost finished clearing these sites," Falt said.

Recently, the United Nations Mine Action Program for Afghanistan undertook a short reconnaissance of the village of Denar Kheil, 10 kilometers from Kalokhan, towards Bagram airbase.

The UN spokesman said, "The village was cluster bomb attacked by coalition forces last month and is now heavily contaminated by with unexploded BLU 97 bomblets."

He said that with the onset of winter, it would take some time to get to the village to survey it.

"Given the high risk to the local population, especially children, a UN survey team is being sent to map the exact area of contamination, and following this, a team will undertake surface clearance before it snows," he said.

Meanwhile, the UN Mine Action has almost finished clearing Kabul of new unexploded ordnance, mainly of bombs in the range of 500-2000 pounds, said Falt.

He added: "The two at the airport remain, due to lack of equipment. The one on the runway is now believed to be so deeply embedded as to pose no threat. The site has been filled in."

Due to Coalition attacks on ammunition depots, Falt said, there is still a lot of unexploded ordnance in and around Kabul that spewed in various directions when the targets were hit.

According to UN Mine Action Program for Afghanistan, these include multi-launch rocket systems, anti-aircraft missiles, and millions of rounds of ammunition.