By Sgt. Armando Monroig
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TAL AFAR, Iraq -- The quick actions of an Iraqi police officer manning a vehicle check point in Tal Afar saved the lives of others in the area when he shot and killed an attempted suicide bomber, Dec. 13.

“We want to let the bad guys know that we are here, we are against them, and we will kill them,” said police officer Bahjat, who shot the terrorist. Bahjat’s family name has been withheld to protect his identity.

Just before the shooting occurred, Bahjat was inspecting vehicles when he spotted a pedestrian wearing a coat with an unusual shape. As he drew nearer, he noticed the suspect was holding a wire in his hand.

The police officer tried to detain the would-be suicide bomber, who attempted to flee on foot. After ordering the individual to stop and firing a warning shot, Bahjat killed him.

An inspection of the body revealed explosives strapped to the chest.

Lt. Col. Malcolm Frost, the commander of 3rd Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, said Bahjat’s actions provide another example of the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order in Tal Afar.

“(Bahjat) did his job,” said Frost. “He combated the danger. He prevented it and in the end no innocent lives were harmed.”

Frost said Bahjat stopped a terrorist who was part of a larger attack intended to incite sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Tal Afar that day. The Iraqi police also disabled a vehicle loaded with several mortar rounds while it was headed for an open market.

“By killing the terrorist, a message was sent to the people that we, the police, are here to protect them,” Bahjat said.