Three detained for insurgent activities, weapons caches found

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment found numerous bomb-making materials and weapons during a nighttime raid in Adwaniyah, March 4. The man residing in the house was trying to recruit others for insurgent activities.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.05.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 2nd Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Several 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers detained three insurgents and discovered two weapons caches during an overnight raid in Adwaniyah March 3- 4.

Sons of Iraq in the area had informed their sheik one of their members was attempting to recruit fellow SoI for insurgent activities against coalition forces and Iraqi citizens.

"The man was trying to start up a new insurgent group," said Capt. Douglas Hoyt, commander of Troop B, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div, currently attached to the 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

Concerned for the safety of his town, the sheik passed the information to Soldiers of Troop B. Based on that and other intelligence, Soldiers conducted a late-night raid of the suspect's house, detaining him and his brother.

Inside the house, Soldiers discovered improvised explosive device-making materials, cassette tapes and other propaganda. Outside the house, Soldiers discovered a weapons cache containing 100 feet of detonation cord, five grenades, a quarter pound of TNT, five pounds of plastic explosives, two rocket- propelled grenade charge tubes, 28 mortar round charges, 33 bags of gunpowder, five pounds of unknown bulk explosives, five shotgun shells, two AK-47s, two PKC machine guns, two blasting caps, four timers, two 7.62 mm ammunition magazines and five ounces of acetone peroxide, a primary high explosive.

Based on previous intelligence provided by SoI, the sheik led Soldiers early morning March 4 to a second cache linked to insurgents. Five 120 mm mortars and a bucket full of washing machine timers were discovered. The Soldiers detained a man who claimed to own the cache and admitted to killing local citizens. He was taken in for questioning.

Hoyt, from Columbus, Ohio, said the finding helps security in the area, and catching insurgents and caches early on deters possible future tragedy. He said SoI cooperated with his Soldiers, even against one of their own members, because of the relationship enjoyed between coalition forces and SoI.

"They're looking out for their own town," Hoyt said. "They don't want to be terrorized again."

In the four months Troop B has been on the ground, Hoyt said they have performed many missions, clearing Adwaniyah of extremists who once dominated the area.

SoI members provided vital intelligence leading to the detention of insurgents, but Hoyt also credits his Soldiers, whose dedication helped foster positive relationships.

"A big part is the Soldiers who go out everyday and talk with the people," he said.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2008
• Date Posted: 03.06.2008 14:20
• Story ID: 17075
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ