Insider threats in Afghanistan increase need for explosive detectors
In Afghanistan suicide bombers are increasingly disguising themselves as friendly forces to successfully infiltrate secure allied bases and wreak havoc; April has been a deadly month for allied troops in Afghanistan with at least four attacks taking place where suicide bombers disguised themselves as police officers or members of the army; to protect against this threat, Thermal Matrix specializes in person-borne improvised explosive device (PBIED) detection devices; the firm has been working with the U.S military for the past several years to develop the Thermal Matrix ACT system which is capable of detecting suicide bombers from long distances; the system uses infrared imagery to analyze the heat signature of approaching individuals to determine if they are carrying any explosives
In Afghanistan suicide bombers are increasingly disguising themselves as friendly forces to successfully infiltrate secure allied bases and wreak havoc.
Less than two weeks ago an insurgent posed as a member of the Afghan Army hiding an explosive vest beneath his military uniform. After entering the joint Afghan and NATO base in eastern Afghanistan, he detonated the vest killing five NATO troops and four Afghan soldiers and injuring four others.
Noor al-Haq Olumi, a former Afghan Army general, believes that allied troops will see more of these types of attacks.
“The enemy has entered every part of the government. They are everywhere, whether it’s government institutions or our villages,” he said. “This year I believe it will be more violent because there will be more attacks like this one.”
Richard Salem, the CEO and founder of Thermal Matrix USA, believes that technology must be implemented to guard against this threat and that his firm can provide it.
“The explosives were hidden inside his uniform, the exact scenario we have seen and have been warned of time and time again,” Salem said. “This attack, combined with others just this month, leaves no doubt that new technology must immediately be deployed to keep our forces safe.”
To protect against this threat, Thermal Matrix specializes in person-borne improvised explosive device (PBIED) detection devices. The firm has been working with the U.S. military for the past several years to develop the Thermal Matrix ACT system which is capable of detecting suicide bombers from long distances.
The system uses infrared imagery to analyze the heat signature of approaching individuals to determine if they are carrying any explosives. It is capable of detecting a wide range of dangerous substances including plastic, powder, liquid, and gel explosives.
Michal Reinpoldt, the executive director of Thermal Matrix, believes that had the ACT system been in place the most recent attack could have been prevented.
“Our advanced software combined with the powerful optics of our thermal imagers would have done that in this instance. Once the bomber was detected, security forces could have detained him long before his planned point of attack. I have no doubt the ACT system would have saved many lives, if only the system was in use at the base,” Reinpoldt said.
Salem urged U.S. forces to take steps to prevent similar attacks from occurring.
“The enemy has showed its hand, by repeatedly infiltrating Afghan forces and using deception to kill. Now is the time for us to act, and use threat detection technology specifically designed to stop these tragedies,” Salem said.
April has been a deadly month for allied troops in Afghanistan with at least four attacks taking place where insurgents disguised themselves as police officers or members of the army.
On 15 April, a Taliban suicide bomber donned a police uniform and entered Kandahar’s police headquarters. The attacker waited until the police chief appeared before detonating his bomb killing the chief and two others.
Last Monday, in a brazen attack, an insurgent wearing an explosive device nearly reached the Afghan defense minister in his offices in Kabul.
The attacker successfully made it to the second floor of the Afghan defense ministry carrying a loaded weapon and an explosive vest before he was finally confronted. A gunfight ensued and the assailant killed two Afghan soldiers and wounded two others including two senior aides.
The attacker passed through several checkpoints outside and inside the building as he was carrying a valid ID and was wearing the uniform of an Afghan Army colonel.
