Afghan police arrest 3 suspects in bombing which killed 5 U.S. troops

Afghan police arrest 3 suspects in bombing which killed 5 U.S. troops

2011-10-06 03:43:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- Three suspected insurgents were arrested in southern Afghanistan last month in connection with a bomb blast which killed five American soldiers in mid-August, the U.S. Army said on Wednesday.

The three men were detained on September 26 in the town of Nalgham in Zharay District of Kandahar province when Afghan Uniform Police officers were conducting a dismounted patrol and noticed them acting suspiciously. They were questioned and officers subsequently searched the compound where the men lived.

"Within the compound, the Afghan police officers discovered two complete pressure-plate [improvised explosive devices (IEDs)], IED components, and a push-to-talk radio," the U.S. Army said in a statement. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team later carried out a controlled detonation of approximately 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) of homemade explosive material.

Additionally at the scene, coalition service members administered explosive residue tests to all three men, each of whom tested positive for explosives. "During tactical questioning of the three individuals, each gave different answers, further increasing suspicion of the men's activities," the statement added.

The suspects were then transferred to a nearby base where they were questioned by Afghan officials about their activities. Officials believe they were involved in an IED attack which happened on August 11 on the same route where the men were initially detained.

Five American soldiers were killed in what the U.S. Army called a 'catastrophic attack.' The victims were previously identified as 26-year-old Sgt. Edward J. Frank II of Yonkers, New York, 26-year-old Sgt. Jameel T. Freeman of Baltimore, Maryland, 21-year-old Spc. Patrick L. Lay II of Fletcher, North Carolina, 23-year-old Spc. Jordan M. Morris of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and 27-year-old Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez of Williams, California.

All the victims were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in New York. Spc. Freeman was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

The Commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. Kenneth Mintz, said he believes the capture of the three insurgents will have a lasting impact on insurgent operations in central Zharay district. "The removal of these insurgents will definitely impact the effectiveness of the cell," Lt. Col. Mintz said. "Additionally, the audacious and autonomous actions of the Nalgham police are laudable."

So far this year, at least 472 coalition service members have been killed in Afghanistan. Most troops are American and are killed in the country's south, which is plagued by IED attacks on troops and civilians.

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