LOC20:27
17:27 GMT
BAGHDAD, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- Iraqi security agencies were able to dismantle a
terrorist ring, kill five of its operatives and arrest 13 others in a
crackdown in Salah-Eddin governorate, north Baghdad on Saturday.
Acting on tips on militant activity in the governorate, the law enforcers
launched the crackdown against the suspected associates of Al-Qaeda
organization, Director of the Central Command Center of the Interior Ministry
Maj.-Gen. Abdulkarim Khalaf told reporters.
The crackdown, backed by U.S. gunships, targeted a terrorist hotbed east of
Balad town, south of Salah-Eddin governorate.
The security forces exchanged fire with the terrorists, killing five of
them and arresting 13 others, Khalaf affirmed.
A large quantity of munitions and key documents on militant activity in the
region have been confiscated during the operation.
The ring was planning to launch a terrorist campaign against civilian and
government targets near Samarra town, he revealed.
Salh-Eddin governorate has seen a relative calm compared with other Iraqi
provinces in the recent months. (end)
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KUNA 072027 Feb 09NNNN