Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49280
Coalition Forces in Iraq Detain Insurgent, Foil Ambush
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2008 – Coalition troops in Iraq captured a suspected bomb maker and thwarted an insurgent ambush during operations in Baghdad over the past few days, military officials said.
U.S. soldiers detained a suspected improvised explosive device maker March 12 in the Jadida area of the Karadah security district in eastern Baghdad, officials said.
Soldiers with the 10th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team detained the suspected terrorist, who tested positive for explosive materials. Intelligence officials believe the detention of the suspect will result in reduced roadside-bomb attacks on Iraqi and coalition security forces in the area.
U.S. soldiers in Baghdad also foiled an attempted ambush in the northern portion of the city’s Adhamiya district March 11. Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team were attacked by enemy small-arms fire after they’d entered the area in response to reports of mortar activity.
An air-weapons team identified and engaged the suspected attackers, who were in three vehicles. One suspect was wounded and all three vehicles were disabled during the exchange.
The injured suspect was detained and taken to a coalition outpost for medical treatment. Three other suspects also were detained.
Local Iraqi residents then alerted the U.S. soldiers about a possible enemy munitions cache in the area. Following the tip, the soldiers seized 85 mm rockets, rocket launchers, mortars, a 122 mm projectile and 40 mm grenades.
Also, over the past week in Anbar province, Iraqi police discovered two huge weapons caches that contained rockets, rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, rifles, machine guns, radios, hand grenades, mortars and mortar rounds, small-arms and machine-gun ammunition and more, officials said.
In Fallujah, Iraqi police found a large weapons cache hidden inside a city residence March 11. Numerous hand grenades, small-arms ammunition, rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, rifle scopes, blasting caps and more ordnance were discovered inside a hidden room that had been concealed by a false wall, officials said.
Eight other massive weapons caches were discovered March 7 on a farm located near Rawah, officials said. The Rawah caches included more than 8,800 items that in total weighed more than 2,600 pounds. Much of the buried ordnance was found to be unserviceable.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49281
Afghan, Coalition Troops Detain 11, Repel Militant Attack
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2008 – Afghan and coalition security forces teamed up this week to repel an enemy attack and seize nearly a dozen suspected insurgents, military officials said.
Afghan and coalition security forces detained 11 suspected militants during a March 12 operation that targeted extremist activities in Khowst province, officials said.
The combined Afghan-coalition force seized the 11 suspects during a sweep of compounds in the Tanai district. The detainees are linked to foreign fighter operations, as well as bomb-making and weapons-facilitation activities. The detainees will be questioned about their alleged involvement in these illegal activities, officials said. The Afghan-coalition force also found a number of bomb-making materials, hand grenades, small arms, ammunition and ammunition vests.
Afghan and coalition security forces “are rallying against militants who use weapons and explosives to harm innocent Afghan civilians and Afghanistan’s security forces,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a coalition forces spokesman.
In other news, Afghan security forces and coalition advisors defeated an enemy attack and found a weapons cache during action near Surksang in Zabul province March 11.
The Afghan troops were attacked by a large group of insurgents that employed small-arms, heavy-machine gun and recoilless-rifle fire. The Afghans returned fire and called in close-air support to defeat the enemy. After pursuing the retreating militants, the Afghan forces found a weapons cache consisting of a recoilless rifle, three heavy machine guns and two other weapons.
“The cache was found as a result of the insurgents’ hasty retreat,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a coalition spokeswoman.
The insurgents regrouped and began to direct 82 mm recoilless-rifle rounds and small-arms fire at the combined forces. The Afghan troops responded with direct fire and air strikes, eliminating the threat. Afterward, the troops discovered a recoilless rifle and a motorcycle wired to a bomb.
In addition, Afghan security forces, advised by coalition forces, disposed of an enemy weapons cache containing improvised explosive devices during a March 10 operation in Oruzgan province, officials said. A local citizen found the cache was and told the provincial police chief. The police chief then notified Afghan soldiers.
The Afghan soldiers formed a security ring while an Afghan police bomb squad searched for more explosives. One suspicious canister was identified, and the police destroyed it in place.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)