Records show that violent attacks on reconstruction projects implemented by UK Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan are rare. We are not aware of any such attacks during the UK’s engagement in Mazar-e-Sharif during 2005. Since taking over responsibility for the PRT in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, in May 2006, information from the PRT indicates that none of over 200 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) implemented has been directly targeted in violent attacks.
However, a number of QIPs have supported the development of Afghan security infrastructure, and we are aware that a small number of projects have been affected by attacks. In October 2007 an explosion in Gereshk resulted in four police casualties and five locals being killed. This damaged the walls of a day care centre being constructed as a PRT project, but it is most likely that the target of the attack was the police. In February 2007, another incident involving the Afghan National Police and Taleban resulted in damage to a school in Lashkar Gah.