'Three killed' in Iraqi battle

American forces carried out a combined air and ground attack, killing three people and wounding three others, Iraqi police said in Fallujah today.

The US military confirmed the incident, but said it knew of only one death.

A spokeswoman in Baghdad said the incident involved the 82nd Airborne Division.

Nicole Thompson said a skirmish started after U.S. soldiers were attacked. She said the attackers ran into a building and ground troops called in air support. She said one guerrilla fighter was killed.

The incident occurred in the village of al-Jisr, north of Fallujah, one of the most dangerous cities in the so-called ”Sunni Triangle,” the region north and west of Baghdad where support for Saddam Hussein runs strongest and where US troops have met stiffest resistance.

Helicopters could be seen over the region of the fight at dawn today. There were two big craters in courtyards of the houses that were involved, indicating bombs had been dropped.