MOSTAR, 21 Feb (Hina) - Two SFOR armoured personnel carriers (APC) patrolling near Mostar's Spanish Square, along the former confrontation line, were fired upon by rocket launched explosives, last evening at 0040 hours. One vehicle
was slightly damaged and none of the five crew members in the APC were injured. A second explosive detonated behind the Square without incident, a statement from the SFOR Multinational Division South East said Friday.
MOSTAR, 21 Feb (Hina) - Two SFOR armoured personnel carriers (APC)
patrolling near Mostar's Spanish Square, along the former confrontation
line, were fired upon by rocket launched explosives, last evening at 0040
hours. One vehicle was slightly damaged and none of the five crew members in
the APC were injured. A second explosive detonated behind the Square without
incident, a statement from the SFOR Multinational Division South East said
Friday. #L#
Following the rocket attacks, there was a short burst of rifle fire,
but neither vehicle was struck. The damaged vehicle returned under its
own power to an SFOR (Spanish) camp in Mostar East.
SFOR responded to the attack by deploying a quick-reaction force to
the scene, where they found two M-80 type rocket launchers (light, hand-held
weapon approximately one meter long) approximately 100 meters south of the
Spanish Square.
SFOR's presence in the Mostar area has been substantially increased
with patrols, both mounted and on foot. Our troops are well trained and have
robust rules of engagement, when it comes to protecting ourselves. We have
weapons at our disposal and are prepared and authorised to take appropriate
action to protect ourselves to neutralise potential threats.
The Commander of the Multinational Division South East, General Yves
Le Chatelier, joins the international community in condemning this
deplorable act of terrorism. "SFOR's mandate is clear and we will not be
deterred from our mission. I have 10,000 men under my command, and I will do
what is necessary to remove all forces that threaten us", said Le Chatelier.
This is the first time that SFOR personnel have been targeted since
the beginning of our mandate, and we have no information as to the identity
of the perpetrators. An investigation is ongoing with the support of the
IPTF, an SFOR Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team and the military
police, the SFOR statement said.
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211621 MET feb 97