U.S. troops nab high-value target in Iraq

BAGHDAD, March 19 (UPI) -- U.S. military officials say a top insurgency suspect has been arrested following an operation by U.S. troops in Narhwan, Iraq.

The high-value target designate was captured for his alleged involvement in weapons and explosives smuggling to several insurgent networks in Iraq. U.S. defense officials did not release the suspect's name but said he was also responsible for several improvised explosive device attacks, the American Forces Press Service reported.

Troops cleared several houses during the operation uncovering a small weapons cache including shotguns and an assault rifle among other munitions. In addition to the high-value target, soldiers also detained three other suspected militants for questioning.

"The target was a really bad guy," 1st Lt. James Self, a platoon leader in Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, said in a statement. "It's a very good thing that he is off the streets. His capture not only makes Narhwan a safer place, it makes Iraq, as a whole, safer."