Roadside Bomb Kills U.S. Soldier In Baghdad

KOTV ^ | Apr 25, 2004 | Associated Press

[yonif]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A roadside bomb exploded by a U.S. patrol in Baghdad on Sunday, killing a U.S. soldier and sparking a gunbattle in the vicinity of Iraqi children, the military said.

After the bomb exploded in eastern Baghdad, U.S. troops evacuated the slain soldier, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt told reporters. When the troops return to retrieve the stricken vehicle, they found several children on it, taking material, he said.

As the troops approached the vehicle, gunmen on neighboring rooftops opened fire, sparking a battle with the soldiers, he said.

Witnesses reported Iraqi casualties in the fight, but it was not immediately known if any of the children were among them.

With the soldier's death, 110 U.S. troops have been killed since the beginning of April, the deadliest period yet for the Americans in Iraq. At least 719 servicemembers have died in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion.

[jaykay]

After the bomb exploded in eastern Baghdad, U.S. troops evacuated the slain soldier, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt told reporters. When the troops return to retrieve the stricken vehicle, they found several children vultures on it, taking material, he said.