KABUL, Afghanistan — A truck carrying nearly 11 tons of a bomb-making chemical has been intercepted at the border with Pakistan, Afghanistan's government announced Tuesday.
The 10.7 tons of ammonium nitrate was hidden under fruit crates in a truck from Pakistan, Interior Ministry Spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told NBC News.
"The material was discovered ... by Afghan border police in Torkham border crossing," he said. "This material is the most important element for making roadside bombs that frequently targets civilians and Afghan security forces."
Ammonium nitrate is a key ingredient of Taliban improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which have killed and maimed thousands of soldiers and civilians every year.
However, it is also widely used as a fertilizer in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of sheltering militants fighting to overthrow the government in Kabul, and turning a blind eye to their violent activities.
