Baghdad: In one of the deadliest days for US (United States) troops since the start of 2004, at least five American soldiers and seven Iraqis were killed today (Jan 24, 2004) in a series of bombings and drive-by shootings across Iraq.

The day of violence overshadowed the start of a two-man UN (United Nations) security mission in Iraq and the disclosure from US officials that troops had captured top al-Qaeda operative organising attacks in Iraq.

The latest US killings around the insurgency-ridden city of Fallujah brought to 239 the number of US soldiers killed in action since US President George W Bush declared major combat over in May.

Two US pilots were also killed when their helicopter came down near the Northern city of Kayyarah, but it was not known if the crash was caused by hostile fire.

Three US soldiers were killed and six wounded when a car bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in the Western Iraqi town of Khaldiyah, the US military and witnesses said. A number of Iraqis were also wounded.

Just six hours earlier, two US soldiers perished when their convoy was attacked by home-made bomb, North of Fallujah, said the US military.

Foreign fighters continue to cross into Iraq from Syria and fuel deadly attacks in the country, top commander of coalition ground troops said in comments to CNN (Cable News Network) broadcast.