London, May 10 – U.S.-led forces in Iraq killed three “secret cell terrorists” and detained four others on Thursday during raids in the Baghdad slum Sadr City targeting a “terrorist network” which is believed to be smuggling roadside bombs to Iraq from neighbouring Iran, the military said in a statement.“The individuals targeted during the raid are suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training”, the statement by the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) said.
Following live fire exchanges between Coalition troops and individuals in two buildings at the site, the Coalition launched an air raid on the targeted sites, killing three “armed terrorists”.
“Coalition forces strike at the terrorists where they hide, not waiting for them to inflict violence on the Iraqi people”, said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “Intelligence reports also indicate the secret cell has ties to a kidnapping network that conducts attacks within Iraq”, the MNF-I statement said.