Polar Bears detain AIF leader, high value target and 47 others during mission

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Coalition forces detained 49 suspected terrorists and found three improvised explosive devices during a combat operation Feb. 16-17 in Quarghuli Village, Iraq.
Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), the 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment and the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation Polar Iron.
The two-day operation, which consisted of air and ground assaults, was conducted in order to disrupt ant-Iraqi forces within areas of Quarghuli Village, long known as a terrorist safe haven.
Soldiers from 4-31 and 4-4-6 air assaulted into the terrorist safe haven as others cleared the ground.
While conducting clearing procedures cordon and knock and cordon and search procedures soldiers of 4-31 and 4-4-6 IA detained 49 suspected terrorists and discovered the IEDs.
During the operation the soldiers received small arms fire, but no one was hurt.
One of the detained local nationals was reported to be an al Qaeda cell leader.
Another detainee was discovered to be black listed for involvement with the Sunni extremists.
The detainees were taken to Patrol Base Yusufiyah, Iraq for further questioning.
The IEDs were detonated during a controlled detonation conducted by the Explosive Ordnance Team.