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For Reference Only

HME in Afghanistan Potential HME Manufacturing
1. ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate + Fuel Oil) Indicators
Afghanistan Home Made As previously mentioned, most of the items used in the manu-
2. ANAL (Ammonium Nitrate + Aluminum)
Explosives (HME) Smart Card facture of HME can be encountered in everyday life. However,
3. TATP (Tri-Acetone Tri-Peroxide) the following items, if encountered in large quantities, should
be considered suspicious:
Other simple HME mixes may include: • Acids (more than a gallon)
• Unrecognizable liquids, powders, or crystals
1. ANS (Ammonium Nitrate + Icing Sugar) • Sugar or sulfur
• De-icing compounds
2. Magnesium Based HMEs • Anti-freeze, toilet bowl cleaners, or herbicides
• Wax, Vaseline, soap, or castor oil
3. Chlorate Based HMEs • Bulk fertilizer - Ammonium Nitrate (especially if not in
farming or rural area)
• Dry powdered or flake metals (Aluminum or Magnesium)
Additionally the presence of:
• Commercial grinders/coffee grinders
• Mixers (cement mixers)

Handling Guidance Introduction Common Precursor Chemicals

1. Ensure that different chemicals are kept separated from
each other.
2. Wear gloves and appropriate eye protection when
handling all chemicals.
3. Take pictures of all labels and chemicals to assist in
identification process.
4. Ensure that all separate precursor chemicals are handled
as HAZMAT (see HAZMAT flowchart on reverse.)
If in doubt, consider employing a 5Cs type operation and
request advice from Higher Formation as soon as possible.
Most home made explosives can be made from chemicals or 1. Ammonium Nitrate (Fertilizer)
constituents found the home, workplace, or purchased locally 2. Aluminum Powder (Oxidizer)
without raising too much suspicion. 3. Hydrogen Peroxide (3% to 40%)
4. Acetone
Due to the processes required in manufacturing HME, special 5. Sulphur Acid
care and handling instructions are to be implemented in ad- 6. Hydrochloric Acid
dition to normal explosive handling procedures. 7. Potassium Chlorate
8. Potassium Permanganate
The aim of this smart card is to provide assistance and guide
9. Sodium Chlorate
to Troops when they encounter what they believe to be HME.
10. Ammonium Perchlorate
11. Sulfur

REMEMBER:

SAFETY HAS PRIMACY OVER ALL OTHER PROCEDURES AND

SO SAMPLING WILL NEVER TAKE PRIORITY OVER SAFETY!!!

REFERENCE COLORS (CMYK PERCENTAGES SHOWN BELOW)

C = 100 M = 100 Y = 100 C = 15 C = 75 C = 100

M = 100 M=5 M = 90
Y = 100 Y = 100 Y = 10

REFERENCE RULER (MM)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120

PLACE SAMPLE HERE:

30
(INCHES)

20
MM
10
0

0 1 2 3 4 5
REFERENCE RULER (INCHES)
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