Friday, February 11 2005 10:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: US helicopters fired missiles to dislodge insurgents from a police station southeast of the Iraqi capital after six policemen were killed in a siege yesterday (Feb 10, 2005), the US military said.

The rebels encircled the police station at Salman Pak and opened fire with anti-tank rockets and light arms, police said.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Hutton said that six policemen were killed and eight others wounded in the battle. He said that an unknown number of insurgents were also killed.

An official at Kindi hospital in Baghdad said earlier that 42 police were wounded in the clashes and two had died in hospital.

"The insurgents did assume control of the police station temporarily," Hutton said. "We attacked them with helicopters, which fired missiles, and the insurgents fled. The operation to pursue them is still going on."

American troops evacuated the wounded for treatment, said a US military statement, adding that "nearly 20 cars were on fire following the attack".

Iraqi National Security Advisor (NSA) Qassem Daoud said, "A military operation is going on against a terrorist group which has been in the area for two weeks."

Police Special Forces were taking part in the operation, he said.