Iraqi, U.S. Troops Find Bombs, Other Weapons During Iraq Operations

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 30, 2007 – American military engineers in Iraq discovered and detonated an anti-tank mine; Iraqi police were attacked by an improvised explosive device; and Iraqi soldiers nabbed an insurgent during operations in Iraq over the past few days, officials said. During a route clearance mission east of Baqubah yesterday, soldiers from the 72nd Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered an anti-tank mine after receiving a tip.

The convoy was about to leave a village when a local citizen stopped the soldiers and gave them a "boom" signal, Army Sgt. 1st Class Sean Thomas, of 72nd Engineer Company, said. After talking with the townsperson, the soldiers realized there was an anti-tank mine in the area.

"This means a lot to us," Thomas said. "It means they trust us and know that we are not there to bring them harm. We are there to protect them. To me, they don't want the terrorists around. They disrupt their business and their day-to-day lives."

The engineers blew up the bomb with no damage or injuries to the forces or the local population.

In other news, Iraqi emergency response personnel, Iraqi police and civilians in northwestern Ramadi were attacked by a suicide truck-bomber early Jan. 28. Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade, worked together to provide medical assistance and evacuate the casualties. Along with the suicide bomber, 16 people were killed in the attack.

Also on Jan. 28, Iraqi soldiers arrested a local citizen implicated in a drive-by shooting incident near Taji. Iraqi troops from the 2nd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized), were on a patrol when the suspect, riding in a car, allegedly opened fire on their T-72 tanks. The troops detained the man and confiscated an AK-47 assault rifle. The suspect is being held for further questioning.

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