Good News From The War On Terror 2/16
Weapon cache found in Diddum region
BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces found a large weapon cache in two separate holes approximately 30 meters apart in Diddum, Iraq, Feb. 11.
The cache contained approximately 1,000 pounds of unknown bulk explosives, barrels of ordnance containing 60 mm, 82 mm and 120 mm rounds, 107 mm rockets, OG-7, PG-7, OG-9, various fuses and mortar rounds.
In addition, approximately 1,500 pounds of unknown bulk explosives in white bags were found about 20 meters away.
Soldiers from 3-7th Inf. Regt. were able to find the cache through intelligence given from concerned residents in the area.
Paratroopers capture key Special Groups leader in Sha’ab 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers captured a key leader of a Special Groups criminal network in Baghdad’s Sha’ab neighborhood Feb. 15.
Acting on multiple-source reporting, paratroopers with 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division detained the suspect during an operation just before noon.
Maj. Cameron Weathers, intelligence officer for the 2nd BCT, said that within the last month alone, the suspect allegedly played a leading role in planning and executing the kidnappings of four Iraqi National Police officers Feb. 2, and the kidnapping of three Sons of Iraq security force members Feb. 7.
The suspect is also believed to have masterminded the November bombing of a Coalition outpost and the 2006 murder of an Iraqi Police colonel, as well as numerous killings of innocent Iraqi civilians.
Weathers said the suspect has recently been engaged in weapons smuggling. He is suspected of being involved in a long list of additional crimes, including murders, kidnappings and IED attacks.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces Detain Seven Suspected Terrorists
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces advising, detained seven suspected terrorists during an operation targeting insurgent groups affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq Feb. 13.
According to intelligence reports, the suspects are believed to be responsible for multiple improvised-explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
The operation was undertaken after a former insurgent provided information about terrorist groups operating in the area.
Joint IA and IP operation nets 21 suspects detained by Mosul ISF
MOSUL, Iraq – The Iraqi Army conducted an operation based on intelligence received from Iraqi Police resulting in the detention of 21 suspects in Mosul, Feb. 13.
Iraqi Army, Rakkasans find second large cache in two weeks
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Soldiers and Rakkasans unearthed a large cache in Qarghuli Feb.12.
Soldiers from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and their 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division counterparts, discovered the second large cache in the area in less than two weeks.
The cache contained more than 825 pounds of homemade explosives, several rocket fuselages, 120 mm rounds, 720 shotgun shells and a variety of other munitions.
Information provided by an Iraqi citizen led to the discovery; the same man provided information leading to massive weapon cache finds Jan. 30 in Qarghuli and Shubayshen.
Qarghuli Village, settled along the banks of the Euphrates River, has been relatively quiet since the Sons of Iraq started manning checkpoints in the area. Soldiers from Company D and the 3/4/6 IA are living among the population, getting to know the community.
National Police, Coalition Forces find caches
BAGHDAD – National police from the 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division along with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers discovered two caches Feb. 15 during a joint mission in Boob al Sham, north of Baghdad.
The joint patrol discovered the initial cache of rocket-propelled grenades, ballistic vests, mortar rounds, hand grenades, small arms ammunition and plastic explosives. They requested explosive ordnance disposal assistance.
While waiting for the team to arrive, the National Police and members of Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, continued searching the area and discovered a second cache.
This find consisted of one rocket and 15 mortar rounds.
In total, they discovered 12 RPG launchers; three white phosphorus mortars; 16, 82mm mortars; six blasting caps; one improvised blasting cap; 13 hand grenades; 10, 120mm mortar propellant bags; 1,000 rounds of small arms ammunition; one 81mm mortar and one 107 rocket.
The 81mm rocket was destroyed on site and all other materials were transported to Camp Taji for processing.
