Coalition Forces free hostage, catch kidnappers
Iraqi soldiers sift through hay bales outside an Iraqi household looking for hidden contraband items in a village near Salaman. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Sean E)
Iraq, August 21, 2005
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers rescued a hostage being held by terrorists, captured the kidnappers, and seized weapons from a terrorist safe-house during a cordon and search operation Aug. 18.
The Soldiers conducted the raid at 8 p.m. in the Muthana Zayuna district of central Baghdad.
Within 45 minutes, the unit surrounded the house, entered, detained three kidnappers and freed the hostage. The Soldiers also seized two pistols and an AK-47 assault rifle.
Later, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers patrolling in northeast Baghdad pulled over three men in a vehicle shortly after midnight Aug. 19 for violating curfew. When the patrol searched the vehicle they found one of the occupants had $4,600 in U.S. currency in his possession.
The Soldiers questioned the vehicle occupants to find out where they lived. When U.S. forces searched the house, they found bomb-making materials and more U.S. currency. The three suspects were taken into custody for questioning.
In other combat operations, Coalition Forces captured 12 more terror suspects in an early-morning raid carried out in south Baghdad just after 1:30 a.m. Aug. 19.
Three hours later, a Task Force Baghdad unit acting on a tip conducted a precision operation to seize a suspected terrorist in west Baghdad. The suspect is believed to have participated in a bomb attack against Iraqi civilians and Coalition Forces.
By Task Force Baghdad PAO
