LandMines in Bosnia and Herzegovina (56k alert!)

[ABiH]

BH Mac Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

MINE SITUATION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country with the largest mine contamination problem in the region
of SE Europe. Over 670.000 mines and 650.000 UXO on 10.000 locations estimated. Contaminated area estimated is over 2.000 km2 which is more than 4 % of the total territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (map cca. 7.2 MB 2326x2299 (http://www.bhmac.org/problem_mina_mapa-2004.htm) - map cca 620 KB 750x550 ) (http://www.bhmac.org/problem_mina_mapa-750x550.htm)

http://www.bhmac.org/images/minska-polja-2004.jpg This map shows areas with known contamination of mines and unexploded ordnance. All other areas are to be treated with caution. Latest info is available at Mine Action Center - Sarajevo, Regional offices and SFOR Mine Cells.

MISSION:
Undertake all the available measures and procedures in humanitarian demining operations, risk area marking and education of population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to make Bosnia and Herzegovina free from the effect of mines by 2010.

VISION:
To enable continuity, stability and long-term conduct of humanitarian demining operations as well as other mine actions in order to eventually remove all the mines and unexploded ordnance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

http://www.bhmac.org/images/m.r.u/mina%20u%20polju.JPG

Rules of conduct in unknown areas

1. Never go alone into unknown areas
2. Stay on road hard surface
3. Do not pick up or touch unknown objects!
4. Do not let you friends play with dangerous objects - warn them it is dangerous!
5. If he/she doesn’t stop, run until you loose your sight of him/her
6. Remember the prominent landmark that will help you to describe the spot
7. Alert a police!
8. Let them take all necessary measures to save your friend and secure the area
9. Marking must be preserved because removing of the minefield marking is actually the same activity as setting up a new minefield!

IF YOU ARE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DO NOT FORGET THAT THERE ARE THREE DEADLY SINS!

Those are:
•Curiosity
•Carelessness
•Forgetfulness

Areas you should avoid
•Vacated buildings/houses
•Private properties, woods and orchards
•Strategic & Military Areas
•Unattended fields/heavy vegetation

Mines warning signs

http://www.bhmac.org/images/m.r.u/minskeoznake-m.JPG

MINE VICTIM STATISTICS: Bosnia and Herzegovina (http://www.bhmac.org/izvjestaj/MV-Eng.pdf)

DO NOT FORGET THE MINES
http://www.bhmac.org/images/m.r.u/ne%20zaboravi%20mine.JPG

Landmine Facts:

Mine Ban Treaty Status: Ratified
Estimated Mined Area: 2,780 square km
Reported Landmine Casualties: 4,843 since 1992

Pictures:

http://www.bhmac.org/newsletter/18.11.2004/images/P6300027.JPG

http://www.bhmac.org/newsletter/18.11.2004/images/nema%20GPS%20signala.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/newsletter/18.11.2004/images/DSC02293.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/newsletter/18.11.2004/images/Licka%20kaldrma%204.JPG

http://www.bhmac.org/newsletter/18.11.2004/images/mina%20na%20stazi.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/web3.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/9.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/A.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/allmines.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/childs-drawing-2.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/deminer0.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/DEMINERS-ON-THE-FIELD.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/De-mining.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/dog3.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/Dogs-1.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/I~000100.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/LSN1.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/LSN2.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/LSN4.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/Mine-(1).jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/Pic1.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/pic27.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/Planning-with-maps.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/Riverbank-mining.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/web1_proba.jpg

http://www.bhmac.org/update/gallery/images/web2.jpg

[ABiH]

This minefield in Bosnia-Herzegovina is adjacent to a housing development.

http://www.landminesurvivors.org/images/AA_81243.jpg

[Wilco]

5. If he/she doesn’t stop, run until you loose your sight of him/her

I find that someone humorous, then again, I would run too, very very fast.

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

Great pictures woot how long ago were these mines planted? because havent mines been banned for a long time? :|

[ABiH]

Great pictures woot how long ago were these mines planted? because havent mines been banned for a long time? :| During the 1992-1995 war!
PS (Koliko imas godina?)

[WoodChipper]

This minefield in Bosnia-Herzegovina is adjacent to a housing development.

http://www.landminesurvivors.org/images/AA_81243.jpgSomething to be proud of eh. I like to show pics of the Rocky Mountains from my country personally.

[uglybaby]

Woodchipper, do you find it hard to hide the fact that you're an asshole? As though the people living there in those houses put the mines there. The photos are for information not national pride you dingleberry. If your being sarcastic please disregard the above statements.

[Telnyashka]

Woodchipper, do you find it hard to hide the fact that you're an asshole? As though the people living there in those houses put the mines there. The photos are for information not national pride you dingleberry. If your being sarcastic please disregard the above statements.

I agree...woodchipper, you are an asshole

[Name Taken]

That's really sad. I can understand the value of mines in warfare, and I'm not some bleeding-heart liberal, but they really should be banned. But let's face it, they're too useful to be completely removed from the world's armories

[ABiH]

From: NORWEGIAN PEOPLE'S AID

Mine action team - photo gallery 1996 - 2003

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/1.jpg
mines and uxo's demolition

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/2.jpg
hard work

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/3.jpg
live cluster bomb

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/4.jpg
mine contaminated areas close to houses

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/5.jpg
house clearance, war torn buildings

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/6.jpg
manual demining, not easy

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/7.jpg
deadly tripwire

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/8.jpg
''kenan'' supervisor and his people

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/9.jpg
things left after every war

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/10.jpg
clearance operation near inhabited buildings

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/11.jpg
192 mines found in one day, npa's record

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/12.jpg
making of the plan before they enter the minefield

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/13.jpg
mine detection near the city

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/14.jpg
the other side

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/15.jpg
there is a lot to be done

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/16.jpg
npa bosnia, mdd team in place

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/17.jpg
live to life, fight against the mines ''concert'' organized in sarajevo

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/18.jpg
mineawareness and mine action presentation in sarajevo school

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/19.jpg
not easy business and not flat all the time

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/20.jpg
deminer

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/21.jpg
massage found, if enemy approaches pull the trip wire to initiate detonation

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/22.jpg
preparations for demolition

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/23.jpg
dog marking

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/24.jpg
supervisor and deminer

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/25.jpg
cluster bomb kb-1

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/26.jpg
demining near by buildings

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/27.jpg
mines demolition

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/28.jpg
demining operation near inhabited areas

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/29.jpg
hand grenade left in the ground like a trap, no safety

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/30.jpg
operation in sarajevo, only few meters from houses sometime

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/31.jpg
mines, mines, mines

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/32.jpg
mechanical preparation, clearance operation

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/33.jpg
preparations for demolition ''zlatko''

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/34.jpg
things left after one of the factories were bombed

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/35.jpg
tempest t5, vegetation cuter machine

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/36.jpg
very difficult place for work

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/37.jpg
on the way to the minefield

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/38.jpg
most common mines and uxo's found in bosnian minefields

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/39.jpg
minecat , new demining machine in npa team

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/40.jpg
much to be done

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/41.jpg
living with mine contamination

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/42.jpg
tempest t5

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/43.jpg
800 mines found here, only marking now

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/44.jpg
time to relax

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/45.jpg
slow work, detection with md-8

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/46.jpg
large mine suspected areas, outskirts of sarajevo

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/47.jpg
npa eod team with guests from angola and norway

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/48.jpg
edd detection, short leash

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/49.jpg
manual demining operation

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/50.jpg
mine detection dog

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/51.jpg
''stephen'' regional manager

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/52.jpg
prodding

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/53.jpg
planning and coordination - stephen, per and resad

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/54.jpg
waiting to be destroyed

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/55.jpg
prodding and detection, sarajevo

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/56.jpg
''sadik'' hydraulic system repairs

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/57.jpg
presentation by terje, mdd coordinator

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/58.jpg
machine cleanup

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/59.jpg
manual demining operation, sarajevo-dobrinja

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/60.jpg
house clearance operation ''sarajevo center''

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/61.jpg
medical support team, elvir and izo

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/62.jpg
shift time, on goes out one goes in

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/63.jpg
common visits, guests from canadian embassy

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/64.jpg
bush work, city of brcko

http://www.npa-bosnia.org/multimedia/NPA-BiH/large/65.jpg
I am wondering ''how much more''

[ABiH]

Minefields of Sarajevo (1999)

Demining of Rural Zones

Demining personnel who are all ex soldiers performs manual demining. There are two motives for employing ex soldiers as deminers; firstly, they already have experience with explosives, therefore less training is required (only three weeks) and costs less. Secondly, local inhabitants are being employed in this way. The salary of a deminer is much higher in relation to average Bosnian one; it is about 1,200 to 1,400 German marks per month.

This is the demining operation procedure:

• In the first place, a terrain is carefully observed in order to find hidden trip-wires and ****y traps.

• Two sticks are placed onto the ground at a space of one metre.

• Grass between these sticks is cut in a strip approximately ten centimetres wide.

• This portion of the terrain (one metre by ten centimetres) is checked with a metal detector.

• If the detector does not indicate the existence of metal, the procedure will continue onto the next ten centimeters using the same system; at the end of the operation a metre wide demined "corridor" will be attained.

• If the detector does indicate the existence of metal, a deminer must probe the terrain with a metal prodder every 3cm, until something solid is found. The prodder must be inserted into the ground at a specific angle, otherwise a different angle could cause the accidental triggering of a land-mine.

A solid buried object, found by probing, must be marked and deactivation experts are called. They remove the soil around the marked area of a land-mine (which can also be any metallic object) in order to expose and neutralize it. Finally, the deactivation commander decides how the land-mine will be neutralised. There are three possibilities: deactivation, removal or destruction on the site.

The destruction of land-mines by explosion is safely executed in a specially provided and protected area.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman01.jpg
Minefield area of approximately 6 metres wide and 960 metres long is cleared on the Igman mountain close to Sarajevo. Photo shows cut vegetation removed to the sides of the minefield boundaries.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman02.jpg
Bosnian deminers work in a line one metre wide advancing 10 centimetres at a time.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman03.jpg
Deminer is cutting vegetation between sticks that mark one metre wide area of work in a strip approximately ten centimetres wide.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman04.jpg
Deminer probes the terrain with a metal prodder every 3 centimetres.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman05.jpg
One deminer is working whist another deminer is watching him from a safe distance of 25 metres.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman06.jpg
"Frag pit" for small metal fragment disposal is clearly marked and positioned close to the working area.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman07.jpg
Bosnian deminers having a lunch break on site.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman08.jpg
On this minefield site deminers also have to deal with problems such as working on steep slopes, stony ground and thick and high vegetation.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman09.jpg
The entire minefield site is surrounded by warning signs in a radius of approximately 150 to 200 metres.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Igman10.jpg
An emergency vehicle must be present during demining, as is prescribed by SOPs, at a minimum distance at all time.

Demining of Urban Zones

The visit started from two suburbs of Sarajevo: Nedarici and Aerodromsko Naselje, where deminers work on the removal of Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) and land-mines out and in surroundings of different buildings. The dangerous zones of the Sarajevo’s Canton correspond to the entire front line of the city under siege from the Serbian Army (forming the ring that surrounds the entire city). In the main, the job has been finished regarding the internal zones of the city. The major objective is a complete clearance of these two quarters, which is particularly dangerous when speaking about a zone of the city that is the part of the urban nucleus.

Besides land-mines, the job of clearance includes the removal of UXO. While the urban nucleus of Sarajevo is practically free of land-mines (especially inside houses, buildings and their gardens), the UXO presents the major danger.

The clearance of courtyards and gardens, as well as real minefields that are located in the outskirts regions of the city, is principally done in the spring or summer time, and it is blocked in the winter time because of snow and ice that covers the ground. In winter, the priority is given to the internal clearance of apartments and buildings, where in practice only UXO are found and none of landmines.

Operations within the urban zones must commence early in the morning (4.00 to 5.00 a.m.) to avoid difficulties created to traffic and local population.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Aerodromsko01.jpg
A deminer removing soil around the place of a suspected landmine or UXO.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Aerodromsko02.jpg
Although the contamination of the ground at this minefield is extensive, each piece of metal, scrub or rubbish must be removed with caution.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Aerodromsko03.jpg
At this minefield site just prodding is used in the landmine/UXO detection because of the extensive presence of metal contamination.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Aerodromsko04.jpg
Some of landmines and Unexploded Ordnance recovered during demining of an urban area of Sarajevo.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Nedarici01.jpg
Bosnian deminers whilst prodding in the suburb of Nedarici in Sarajevo.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Nedarici02.jpg
Deminers working simultaneously at a safe distance of minimum 25 metres. This organisation of deminers is possible because of the flat terrain, which allows their easy supervision.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Nedarici03.jpg
Deminers working simultaneously at a safe distance of minimum 25 metres. This organisation of deminers is possible because of the flat terrain, which allows their easy supervision.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/Nedarici04.jpg
Since armed conflict ceased thick and high vegetation grew entangled between rubbish and wreckage of destroyed houses hiding landmines and UXO.

[Kingtabed3]

Those arent anti-personel landmines those are anti-muslim mines. I know I was there. Down in the good ol' nasty.


Get down with the Tab Nasty.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Michael RVR]

Course you were tab ;)

Personally i'm all for banning anti-personell landmines. Command detonated don't count though.

Mines are terribly unsportsman like. :|

As for AT mines.. Maybe we can keep those ;)

[indreal_d]

I've made this picture in Sarajevo's outlying districts on June 2005
http://images01.snimka.bg/000049257-big.jpg

[konkurs]

Very brave guys, I wish them good luck.

They are real heroes !

[ABiH]

Explosive Detector Dog (EDD) Procedures in Bosnia

EDD procedures described are used in Bosnian minefields and were observed during the writer’s visit in August 1999. The writer also used some information from Standing Operational Procedures of OKTOL d.j.l. (Commercial humanitarian demining company based in Bosnia).

Explosive-detector Dog teams are deployed, during a Technical Survey in a mine-suspected area when 15´ 15 metre plots and surrounding access lines have been defined. The boundaries of these plots are always marked by wooden stakes, which are hammered into the ground at an inter-space of one metre and connected by plastic rope or tape. In deminers’ terminology these plots are often referred to as boxes.

After the direction of any wind is identified, the dog and dog-handler work in lines perpendicular to the wind. The platoon cell’s deminer no.1 takes a position at a distance of 25 metres from the EDD team in order to monitor their work. The dog-handler and deminer no.1 can start working on a plot to clear mines only if equipped according to requirements prescribed by SOPs.

Before letting a dog enter the plot, the dog-handler kneels 1 metre outside the plot’s boundary. The dog-handler, whilst kneeling, orders the dog to commence the task of explosive and trip-wire detection. The dog searches a linear area, parallel to and half a metre distant from the boundary of the plot. When an 8-metre length of this line is searched the dog-handler orders the dog to stop, and to commence working on another parallel line half a metre distant from that just searched. The dog-handler at a distance of half a metre follows the dog. The dog and its handler repeat this procedure of checking 8-metres length of parallel lines every half-metre until one side of the plot is completed, see Diagram 4. The procedure is then repeated from the opposite side ensuring the entire surface of the plot (box) is searched.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/dog01.jpg
Bosnian dog handler with an explosive detector dog at a training rang in the region of Mostar, (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/dog02.jpg

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/dog03.jpg

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/dog04.jpg

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/demining/countries/balkans/ims2/dog05.jpg

The EDD team stops working and pulls out from the plot when the dog signals by its reaction that it has detected an explosive. Controlled by deminer no.2 from a distance of 25 metres, deminer no.1 using a metal-detector advances to 1 metre from the position signaled by the dog. He checks this area by using manual demining techniques (metal detection and prodding). When a land-mine or UXO is found, deminer no.1 instructs deminer no.2 to inform the team leader, who decides how the mine/UXO will be neutralized. To stimulate the dog, the dog-handler always rewards the dog when it has found a land-mine, UXO or trip-wire.

After the mine is neutralized, deminer no.1 continues checking the next 2 metres in the same line using manual techniques. If no mine is found in these two metres the EDD team returns to work in the plot starting from the position where the dog had stopped. However, if a mine is found, the EDD team withdraws because there may be the danger that many mines are present in the small area. The EDD team is directed to work in the next plot.

Finally, every plot is checked with a minimum of two dogs (or two EDD teams). After the first dog leaves the plot the second dog cannot enter within 3 hours. This is to avoid the possibility of the second dog following the scent of the first dog.

In an area where an explosion has occurred EDD teams can be used after a minimum of 3 days. This is regarding the area of 50 metres in radius from the centre of the explosion. A minimum of 15 days must pass before EDD teams can be deployed in areas where vegetation has been burnt.