Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

June 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-38


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


ONE U.S. SOLDIER KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN BAGHDAD ATTACK

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- One paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team was killed and a second injured Tuesday afternoon in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack while operating a weapons collection point in southwest Baghdad.

The soldiers were evacuated to a field medical facility for treatment, and one soldier later died of his injuries. The injured soldier is listed in critical condition.

The soldiers were manning the weapons collection point when a van with four passengers stopped in a nearby alleyway approximately 250 meters from their location. Two attackers exited the van, and each fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the squad. One RPG struck a vehicle and the other landed short of the soldiers' location. Eyewitnesses at the scene of the attack said the attackers fled down the alleyway. U.S. Forces increased patrols and searches in an effort to find the assailants.

Names of the injured and deceased are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Coalition Forces are currently operating weapons collection points throughout Baghdad in accordance with the Iraqi "Weapons Turn-in Policy's Amnesty Period".

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