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US gives $150,000 bomb disposal equipment to NWFP

* Contribution in addition to previously furnished $1.6m in ATA training and equipment

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: As part of its continuing collaboration with Pakistani authorities to protect people in Pakistan from terrorist bombings, the United States government on Wednesday provided $150,000 in bomb disposal equipment to the NWFP police.

This contribution is in addition to the $1.6 million in ATA training and equipment furnished to the NWFP Bomb Disposal Squad previously this year.

US Consulate Principal Officer E. Candace Putnam turned over explosive ordinance disposal suits, ballistic helmets, blasting machines, search mirrors, and tool kits to NWFP Inspector General Police Malik Naveed.

The ceremony was also attended by Major (r) Shafqat Ullah Malik, assistant inspector general of police, Special Branch Bomb Disposal.

Ms Putnam noted the bravery of the NWFP Bomb Disposal Unit whose Peshawar officers defused two remote-controlled bombs at a girls’ school in Landi Arbab area of Peshawar on October 20. Three members of the bomb disposal team lost their lives during operations in 2009 alone; one in Swat and two in Bannu.

In Peshawar, the US provides training, equipment and technology to the NWFP police and is helping them to respond effectively to the security situation in the area. This year 20 police officers received specialised training in bomb disposal.

More training and equipment will be delivered to the police in the coming year. Since 2003, the US has donated approximately $10 million in training and equipment to the NWFP police.

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