The U.S. military in Iraq says coalition forces have captured three suspected terrorists who have ties to Iran's Revolution Guards Qods Force.

A military statement said the three were captured during a U.S. raid on a suspected hideout in Baghdad's Shi'ite majority Shulah neighborhood. It said four terrorists were killed during the operation.

Officials said the captured individuals are believed to be part of a weapons smuggling ring from Iran that imports deadly "explosively formed penetrators." Officials did not reveal the suspects' nationality.

Earlier, Iraqi police in Baghdad and the southern city Kut said they had recovered 31 bodies of suspected death squad victims.

Also Tuesday, the U.S. military said an Apache helicopter was forced to land after coming under attack in eastern Baghdad.  Military officials said the two crewmembers were safely evacuated and given a routine medical evaluation.  The incident is under investigation.

By VOA News
31 July 2007