Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
September 25, 2007
Pg. 12
By Associated Press
KABUL, Sept. 24 -- Italian commandos, aided by other NATO forces and aircraft, rescued two kidnapped Italian intelligence operatives Monday in a daring ambush and gun battle that left at least nine of the captors dead in western Afghanistan.
Although both freed Italians were wounded -- one of them seriously -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi proclaimed the operation a success and said it could put a dent in Afghanistan's growing kidnapping industry.
Violence elsewhere in Afghanistan killed at least 31 people, among them two NATO soldiers serving with Spain's contingent and an Iranian serving as their interpreter who were killed in a land mine explosion, the Spanish defense minister said.
The two Italians, who were described by Defense Minister Arturo Parisi in Rome as working for the Sismi intelligence service, disappeared along with two Afghan colleagues on Saturday. They were last seen at a police checkpoint in western Herat province.
Parisi told Parliament that Italian forces were aided by British, German and U.S. forces, who were monitoring the kidnappers with a Predator drone aircraft and helicopters.
September 25, 2007
Pg. 12
By Associated Press
KABUL, Sept. 24 -- Italian commandos, aided by other NATO forces and aircraft, rescued two kidnapped Italian intelligence operatives Monday in a daring ambush and gun battle that left at least nine of the captors dead in western Afghanistan.
Although both freed Italians were wounded -- one of them seriously -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi proclaimed the operation a success and said it could put a dent in Afghanistan's growing kidnapping industry.
Violence elsewhere in Afghanistan killed at least 31 people, among them two NATO soldiers serving with Spain's contingent and an Iranian serving as their interpreter who were killed in a land mine explosion, the Spanish defense minister said.
The two Italians, who were described by Defense Minister Arturo Parisi in Rome as working for the Sismi intelligence service, disappeared along with two Afghan colleagues on Saturday. They were last seen at a police checkpoint in western Herat province.
Parisi told Parliament that Italian forces were aided by British, German and U.S. forces, who were monitoring the kidnappers with a Predator drone aircraft and helicopters.