LONDON, Nov 4: Three British soldiers sent to reinforce American troops near Baghdad have been killed. The deaths will cause political havoc for Prime Minister Tony Blair, who dispatched the troops north from the comparatively quiet British-patrolled sector of southern Iraq last month.

"I can confirm to the House that in an attack on British forces in the Black Watch area of operations we have suffered a number of casualties including three fatalities," junior Defence Minister Adam Ingram told Parliament.

Blair agreed to send about 850 troops to dangerous areas near Baghdad late last month, allowing US troops to reinforce units fighting guerillas in Fallujah and elsewhere. -Reuters