Members of the Iraqi Counter-terrorism Service standing guard outside their headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) revealed on Saturday that two former government officials had been rescued from their kidnappers following a specialized operation in Baghdad.
The INSS said in a statement that security forces carried out a specialized security operation within 48 hours, resulting in the rescue of two former officials and the arrest of eight people engaged in the kidnapping and other crimes.
According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (IINA), the operation was based on information and accurate field observation.
The statement mentioned that the operation resulted in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, and fake documents belonging to an illegal armed organization at the place where the victims were held. Investigations indicated that the suspects had past criminal histories.
The two abductees are a retired judge and a former advisor to the prime minister’s office; neither currently holds a government position.
The suspects carried out the kidnapping on a motorcycle with fake license plates, transporting the victims between many places.
Investigations led to the discovery of a guns and ammunition stash within a religious facility. The cache contained heavy and medium weapons, grenade launchers, explosive devices, hand grenades, and sniper rifles, in addition to 225 kilograms of explosive materials.
The INSS did not disclose the identities of the two former officials, nor did it identify the armed group to which the suspects reportedly belong.