Iraqi security forces backed by US helicopters killed about 250
militants yesterday during a day-long battle outside the Shiite
holy city of Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad, a local police
source told Xinhua News Agency.
?
Iraqi security forces battled fiercely with a group of radical
militants who were planning to attack Shiite clerics during the
upcoming Ashura commemoration, killing about 250 militants, the
source said on condition of anonymity.
The US army also confirmed two soldiers killed l and one Apache
helicopter destroyed during the battle.
"The clashes erupted when the Iraqi security forces raided
orchards in the Zargah area north of Najaf, where they encountered
attack from militants based in the orchards," the source said.
No US troops except for the US helicopters, providing air
support, involved in the battle at the orchards, according to the
source.
Explosions and heavy machine-gun fire were heard from early
morning, lasting several hours during the day while US helicopters
circled the battle area, witnesses said.
Reports emerged that one US Apache helicopter was shot down by
the militants as smoke was rising from a site behind enemy
lines.
The US military later confirmed the crash and said the remains
of the crew members were recovered.
?(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2007)
