Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi police officer and a Task Force Baghdad soldier search for terrorists in...... read more read more
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2005 -- A Task Force Liberty soldier died of injuries suffered when a combat patrol struck an improvised explosive device near Dujayl, Iraq, at about 1 p. m. today, military officials reported.
The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Elsewhere, Iraqi public order brigade personnel thwarted a car bomb attack Oct. 12 in Baghdad when they shot the car bomb. It exploded, killing its driver.
Explosive ordnance detachment personnel arrived shortly after the incident and determined that two 130 mm artillery rounds that were concealed in the vehicle had detonated. Two unexploded 82 mm rounds were recovered for later disposal.
In other developments, Iraqi army troops and coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists and seized a weapons cache Oct. 12 in Karmah.
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force, were conducting a dismounted patrol when they detained the military-aged males and discovered the cache.
The cache was inventoried and produced 24 AK-47 rifles, two SKS rifles, a cell phone, a thermal imaging sight, assorted documents and an undetermined quantity of loose 7. 62 mm ammunition.
The suspects are being held pending further investigation.
In other Iraq news, an Iraqi army unit independently tracked down and captured three individuals suspected of detonating an IED southwest of Baghdad on Oct. 12. The IED detonated on an Iraqi army convoy around mid-afternoon, slightly wounding several Iraqi soldiers, who were evacuated for medical treatment. Soldiers from 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, tracked the suspected bomb triggermen to a nearby mosque. After receiving permission, they searched the premises and found and detained three individuals with a remote detonator.
Elsewhere, Iraqi police joined forces with members of Task Force Baghdad to capture five suspected terrorists in eastern Baghdad Oct. 11.
This is the second mission in the last few days where intelligence from the community directly led to the capture of suspected terrorists, officials said. On Oct. 8, the same unit detained five other terror suspects.
"We learned a lot about other terrorists' cells from them - then we talked to people in the community to help us pinpoint their locations, and those are the terrorists we went after today," said Army Capt. Jason Pelletier, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
Intelligence reports and tips from local residents indicated that the suspects detained were involved in roadside bombings.
The detainees were found with small arms, machine guns, Iraqi army uniforms, cell phones and other electrical components that could be used in roadside bomb construction.
Army Pfc. Afhafiz Karteran was the first U. S. soldier in the door at two of the targeted homes. "You never know what to expect when you go through the door," he said. "We go in fast and expect the bad guy knows we are coming. "
In this case, the terrorists were taken totally by surprise, he said.
"We found seven men at the house where one of the suspects was staying," Karteran said. "We quickly did our job and secured the target and identified another man who was wanted for questioning. "
After 10 minutes in the home, the mission was over. The five suspects are currently detained and being processed in the Iraqi judicial system.
About 25 Iraqi police officers joined the U. S. soldiers on the mission.
"Working with the Iraqi security forces is mutually beneficial for both us and the (Iraqi security forces)," Pelletier said. "The people like seeing Iraqis in uniform, and they have faith in us to always do the right thing. The Iraqi security forces continue to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the Iraqi people. Their capability impresses me more and more each day. "
Offensive operations throughout the area are designed to improve the chances of a peaceful referendum vote. In Rawah, Iraqi and Task Force Freedom forces seized a large weapons cache Oct. 11.
Iraqi intervention forces from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, and U. S. soldiers from 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, seized the cache, which consisted of 220 rocket-propelled grenades, 40,000 7. 62 mm rockets, 100 2. 75 inch rockets, 10 anti-tank mines, 1,000 . 50 caliber rounds, 30 120 mm mortars, 20 82 mm mortars, 3,000 feet of detonation cord, 12 40-pound containers of black powder and 25 40-pound containers of red powder.
The cache was found buried in the ground in a 20 ft. container. The contents were destroyed in place.
More rounds were discovered in the surrounding area after the cache was destroyed.
As of Oct. 12, more than 1,000 122 mm artillery rounds have been found, 700 of which were destroyed in place.
Iraqi and U. S. forces continue to search for additional munitions.
In the air war over Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 55 close-air-support and armed-reconnaissance sorties Oct. 12 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Coalition aircraft also supported Iraqi and coalition ground forces operations to create a secure environment for ongoing Transitional National Assembly meetings, officials said. Sorties included U. S. Navy F-14s and F/A-18s, which provided close-air support to coalition troops near Basrah, Karabilah and Mosul. In addition, eight U. S. Air Force and U. S. Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, U. S. Air Force and British Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.
(Compiled from Task Force Baghdad, Multinational Force Iraq, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq and U. S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases. )
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 10.13.2005 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 3318 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 40 |
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