BAGHDAD - A top Iranian-backed insurgent leader thought responsible for bombings here is behind bars thanks to the instincts of two Fort Carson sergeants — one of them from Colorado Springs, commanders said Wednesday.

Sgt. Luke Groeninger, a former Rampart High School student, and Staff Sgt. Reggie Martinez of the Bronx, N.Y., chased two men fleeing a house that was being searched and nabbed one of them at gunpoint. The man turned out to be one of the most wanted men in Iraq, the Army said.

The two noncommissioned officers were on a mission to track down the militia boss with other members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division, when Martinez got one of those gut feelings, he said. He and Groeninger had been watching the area from a Humvee early Monday when Martinez said he noticed a gap in the perimeter.

The two walked to the spot and saw two men run off.

“Obviously, it’s suspicious at 3 a.m. when someone is running away,” Groeninger said.

Commanders, citing security concerns, did not name the suspect but said that he was the second-most wanted man in their region, north of Baghdad, and that he was high on the lists of other Army units throughout Iraq. They said that he is thought responsible for orchestrating bombings by his militia group, and he has ties to Iran.

He was in custody Wednesday and was being interviewed by intelligence experts.

Col. John Hort, the 3rd brigade commander, wanted this insurgent so much, he had offered an all-expenses paid feast to the unit that caught him. Wednesday, Hort happily paid up, saying the success came months earlier than expected.

“I bet the boss we wouldn’t catch anyone important anytime soon,” Hort said before serving up pizza for the soldiers who made the grab. “I lost my bet the other night.”

Martinez and Groeninger, members of Blackhawk Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, got more than pizza from Hort.

Martinez was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, and Groeninger was given a letter of commendation during a ceremony at Joint Security Station Istaqlal, southeast of the brigade’s headquarters at Camp Taji, about 20 miles north of downtown Baghdad.

“I encourage you all — don’t go after awards — go after these guys, because that will keep you safe all year,” Hort said.

The capture is an example of the dual role of the brigade’s soldiers in this area. During the day, they work to rebuild the region and shore up allied Iraqi army and police forces. They also gather tips that lead them closer to the enemy.

At night, the brigade’s soldiers range through the region to snatch insurgents.

First Lt. Otis Ingram of Colorado Springs, who oversaw the capture, said the raid came at the end of a 38-hour mission and was the last of several missions for his soldiers.

“It’s always good when you do the planning and everything falls into place,” he said.

Groeninger said that he’s happy they caught the enemy, but that he was initially too tired to have much emotion. “It had been a long day at that point,” he said.

Martinez said his actions were nothing special. “I was just doing my job,” he said.

But commanders say getting the insurgent has seriously wounded the opposition.

“I think they’re on the run at the moment,” said the sergeants’ battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Pappal. “I say at the moment because they’ll be back.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: tom.roeder@gazette.com