3 al-Qaida suspects killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Three suspected al-Qaida members were killed Wednesday in a U.S. operation in northern Iraq aimed at a suspected terrorist leader.

Military officials said that the military peration in Kirkuk was aimed at an al-Qaida leader believed to be responsible for car bombings and other terrorist acts in the city, KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency, reported.

Also Wednesday, a U.S. soldier was wounded during a sweep in the al-Khadraa neighborhood in western Baghdad. The U.S. military said that an al-Qaida leader was arrested with three militants.

The soldier was treated for injuries and returned to duty.