An IED, or Improvised Explosive Device, is a homemade bomb that is crafted and used by non-professionals or irregular combatants instead of military personnel. It is an improvised explosive weapon typically created using readily available materials, such as common household items, agricultural chemicals, or military ordnance. IEDs can be constructed in various forms, ranging from simple to sophisticated devices, depending on the intended target, purpose, and resources available to the maker.
These explosive devices are often concealed or hidden in inconspicuous objects, such as vehicles, boxes, or bags, to maximize their destructive potential and increase the likelihood of causing casualties or damage to infrastructure. IEDs have been consistently used by insurgent groups, terrorists, and guerilla fighters in asymmetrical warfare scenarios, as they are relatively easy to produce, transport, and deploy.
Due to their covert nature and ability to cause significant harm, IEDs pose a serious threat to both military forces involved in conflicts and civilian populations alike. Counter-IED efforts have therefore become a crucial focus of military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
To counter IED threats, specialized units and units equipped with advanced technology are deployed to detect and neutralize these devices. Such units employ tactics and strategies to minimize the risks associated with IEDs, including conducting thorough surveillance, employing bomb disposal techniques, and implementing strict security measures to deter and discourage their use.
