U.S. Soldiers capture terrorists, weapons in combat ops  

Blackanthem.com, BAGHDAD, Iraq, November 04, 2005

Vigilance and speed were the watchwords of the day as Task Force Baghdad Soldiers caught several terrorists in the act of carrying out attacks throughout Baghdad Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

During combat operations, cordons, searches and raids in various districts of the city, U.S. Soldiers detained numerous Anti-Iraqi Forces and confiscated several weapons caches.

One unit operating in the Abu Ghraib district in west Baghdad reported engaging in small-arms fire with a group of terrorists Oct. 31. When the gunfire subsided, the Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, along with Task Force Baghdad aviation assets, searched a palm grove for enemy forces and found four terror suspects, one of whom was wounded.

The Soldiers also confiscated a number of weapons, including a nine-millimeter pistol and a nine-millimeter grease gun, along with magazines. Continuing to search the area, the 1/11th troops detained another three individuals who tried to flee.

The injured terrorist was taken to a nearby medical treatment facility where he later died of his wounds.

Another Task Force Baghdad unit on patrol in northeast Baghdad Nov. 1 discovered a weapons cache after receiving a tip from a local resident. Inside a shed, the Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a PKC machine gun, several hundred rounds of ammunition and several hundred Iraqi and U.S. Army uniforms.

On Nov. 2, Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained four individuals at a checkpoint in south Baghdad after discovering the suspects were carrying fake identification cards. Upon further investigation, the Soldiers learned the vehicle was believed to have been involved in a previous mortar attack. Another vehicle was searched due to suspicious activity on the part of the driver; he was also detained. All five terror suspects were turned over to Iraqi Security Forces.

By Sgt. 1st Class David Abrams
Task Force Baghdad PAO