The checkpoint came under fire from insurgents operating from orange, apple and date groves that line the road. The Americans in two of the Humvees took off in pursuit as the insurgents retreated into the groves, the Iraqis said, leaving one of the Humvees and only three or four Americans soldiers at the checkpoint.
A normal three humvee patrol was separated, apparently by insurgents who had observed this phenomenon before and were ready to capitalize on it. The patrol took the bait, the insurgents sprung the trap. This type of ambush shows a high degree of preparation and understanding of our tactics.
As for the capture itself, it's hard to know what happened. The three could have been wounded, or simply caught looking left when they should have been looking right, and would up with a squad of insurgents who had the drop on them. There's really not much you can do at that point other than go for your weapon and die, or surrender.
At any rate, I think that the NYT scenario at least sounds plausible. I don't have any other information, but it seems to me that what they are reporting would be the most likely way insurgents could possibly have accomplished what they did.
Looking into this now.
That makes some sense...speaking just now with some vets from Iraq- they theorize it was a set-up as well- saying 3 alone at a checkpoint would (when they were there) be extremely unusual- particularly in that area.