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Security operations continue in Rashid
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers discovered and destroyed an explosively-formed penetrator factory and suspected torture house in southern Baghdad June 19 while conducting clearing operations.While searching abandoned buildings in the western Rashid District, Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion 38th Infantry Regiment found six EFPs, 24 sticks of C4 plastic explosive, one pipe bomb without initiator and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. A house nearby was also searched and contained one 105mm artillery round with a satchel charge attached and duct tape coated with blood and hair. After inspecting the houses Soldiers found materials believed to aid in camouflaging roadside bombs. An explosive ordnance disposal unit arrived on the scene and detonated the cache. However, the resulting explosion was larger than expected and collapsed a nearby home. Soldiers searched the rubble for any possible trapped civilians. One female civilian was found dead. Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the deceased, said Maj. Kirk Luedeke, spokesperson and public affairs officer for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. This unfortunate event is something we are investigating and will take precautionary measures to prevent from happening again. Earlier in the day, Coalition aircraft dropped six bombs on the palm grove along the Tigris River in the eastern portion of the Rashid District, targeting an infiltration route and possible cache storage site for al-Qaeda operating in an area that has been used to conduct indirect fire attacks against the International Zone and Coalition outposts.. This area was used by al-Qaeda in Iraq for its ability to conceal weapons and target civilians and security forces with indirect fires, Luedeke said. There were no injuries or collateral damage resulting from the air strikes. Posted by: Fred 2007-06-20 |
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