- News>
- World
US troops shut down major bomb factory in Saddam`s hometown
Tikrit, Aug 17: US troops today shut down a major illicit bomb factory near Saddam Hussein`s hometown of Tikrit and arrested two people in connection with bombing activities here, a US Army commander said.
Tikrit, Aug 17: US troops today shut down a major illicit bomb factory near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit and arrested two people in connection with bombing
activities here, a US Army commander said.
In a raid on a village north of Tikrit, troops from the 4th Infantry Division seized C-4 plastic explosives, plastic caps, detonation switches and fragmentation shrapnel used in bombs, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the 4th Infantry's 1st battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment.
"We definitely shut down a major operational and bombing site," Russell told the associated press. "There are still individuals we are looking for." Also seized in today's raid was a 60mm mortar, seven rounds of ammunition, three grenades and four AK-47 rifles, he said. No shots were fired, there was no resistance from those detained and there were no US Casualties, he said.
"Soldiers are still at the scene searching the area," he said.
Saddam loyalists and remnants of the former regime have been using homemade bombs, often detonated remotely, against US patrols and convoys. On August 5, three 4th infantry soldiers were killed in one such attack. Troops have been discovering improvised explosive devices almost every day, increasingly with the help of the local population, military officials said. Bureau Report
"We definitely shut down a major operational and bombing site," Russell told the associated press. "There are still individuals we are looking for." Also seized in today's raid was a 60mm mortar, seven rounds of ammunition, three grenades and four AK-47 rifles, he said. No shots were fired, there was no resistance from those detained and there were no US Casualties, he said.
"Soldiers are still at the scene searching the area," he said.
Saddam loyalists and remnants of the former regime have been using homemade bombs, often detonated remotely, against US patrols and convoys. On August 5, three 4th infantry soldiers were killed in one such attack. Troops have been discovering improvised explosive devices almost every day, increasingly with the help of the local population, military officials said. Bureau Report