U.S. soldiers kill three men, detain six in northern Iraq clash

U.S. soldiers killed three gunmen firing from several cars in northern Iraq and destroyed several vehicles, including one that appeared to be a ready for use as a car bomb, the military said Sunday.

The fire-fight occurred Saturday and involved soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division north of Beiji, 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Baghdad.

"The soldiers engaged the two lead vehicles killing three of the gunmen," the military said in a statement. "Three vehicles following the lead vehicles stopped and their occupants escaped on foot."

No U.S. casualties were sustained.

Troops detained six men from one of the vehicles and found AK-47 rifles in several others. Four cars left at the scene were destroyed by U.S. troops after one was found to be rigged to be used as a car bomb, AP reported. V.A.