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Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces backed by U.S. helicopters Sunday killed about 250 militants during a day-long battle outside the Shiite holy city of Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad, a local police source told Xinhua.

Smoke rises from the site where a U.S. helicopter allegedly crashed near the town of Zarqa, north of the central Iraqi city of Najaf, Jan. 28, 2007.

Smoke rises from the site where a U.S. helicopter allegedly crashed near the town of Zarqa, north of the central Iraqi city of Najaf, Jan. 28, 2007. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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Iraqi security forces fought fierce battles with a group of radical militants who planned to attack Shiite clerics during upcoming Shiite's Ashura commemorations, killing about 250 militants, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. army also suffered loss of two soldiers and one Apache helicopter during the battle, according to the U.S. military, who confirmed the helicopter crash in a statement.

"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 U.S. troops except for the U.S. helicopters, which provided support from the air, involved in the battle at the orchards, according to the source.

Explosions and heavy machine-gun fire were heard since early morning and lasted several hours during the day while U.S. helicopters were circling above the battle area, witnesses said.

They reported that one U.S. Apache helicopter was shot down by the militants' fire and smoke was rising from a site controlled by the militants.

The U.S. military later confirmed the crash and said the remains of the crew members were recovered.

BAGHDAD, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. military helicopter crashed on Sunday in a combat operation near southern Iraqi city of Najaf, killing two U.S. soldiers on board, the U.S. military confirmed in a statement.

Iraqi forces clash with militants S Baghdad

A blindfolded detainee sits inside a police vehicle after he was arrested in Najaf, Jan. 28, 2007.

A blindfolded detainee sits inside a police vehicle after he was arrested in Najaf, Jan. 28, 2007. (Reuters Photo)
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NAJAF, Iraq, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces backed by U.S. helicopters fought fierce battles Sunday with radical militant group outside the Shiite holy city of Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad, a police source told Xinhua.