US soldiers killed in Iraq blast

Three US soldiers were killed today following an explosion near their patrol northeast of Baghdad, military officials said.

The Task Force Lightning soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in Diyala province, the centre of a series of US operations against al Qaida in Iraq and other militants.

The US military statement announcing the deaths provided no more details.

Another Task Force Lightning soldier died today in a vehicle accident in the northern Ninevah province, the military said separately, adding the incident was under investigation.

Identities of the deceased were not released pending notification of relatives.

The deaths raised to at least 3,786 members of the US military who have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003.