THE TENSION: OIF Summary; Nov. 17, 2008: Troops in Iraq Detain Terrorist Suspect, Dismantle Bomb

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2008 -- Coalition and Iraqi troops captured an Iranian-backed militant, seized a weapons cache and dismantled a hidden bomb yesterday in Baghdad, military officials reported.

Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained the terrorist suspect in Baghdad's Rashid district. A combat patrol from the 64th Armor Regiment’s 4th Battalion, Company C, attached to the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, detained the man in the Shurta community and took him to a combat outpost for further questioning.

Iraqi security forces found and disarmed a bomb consisting of four rocket-propelled grenades hidden in a push cart in the Wade Hajar neighborhood. The 1st West Explosive Ordnance Disposal team disarmed and destroyed the IED.

Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered a weapons cache in southern Baghdad's Rashid district. In the Jihad community, soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered five 82 mm mortar rounds and an undisclosed amount of detonation cord while on patrol. An explosive ordnance disposal unit arrived on the scene to properly dispose of the munitions.

In operations Nov. 15:

Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted operations in southern Baghdad’s Hayy Jihad community, resulting in the capture of a suspected terroist leader who is believed responsible for bomb attacks, murder, extortion, kidnappings, assassinations and weapons trafficking.

Soldiers from Co. C, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., found an IED in the Hayy Jihad community. An explosives ordnance disposal team disarmed the bomb made from three anti-aircraft rounds.

Iraqi security forces captured two men with possible ties to al-Qaida activity in Mosul, and seized three AK-47 rifles during a combined operation in the Rissala neighborhood. The two suspects were taken into custody for questioning.