June 7, 2007

Improvised Explosive Device Fails: No Injuries

Release Number: 07-01-03P

BAGHDAD - A fuel tanker was destroyed and a gas station damaged near Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah, Iraq, June 5, when the cab of the tanker exploded.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment,2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., heard a large explosion not far from the FOB at about 1:50 p.m.

The Mahmudiyah fire department responded to and extinguished the blaze, and a team of explosive ordnance disposal technicians were dispatched to determine the cause of the explosion.

The truck's cab contained an estimated five pounds ofexplosives, apparently intended to cause the fuel tank to explode. The improvised explosive device was thought to be on a timer or remotely detonated.

Two other vehicles nearby were damaged in the blast, but no one was injured.

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