Washington, Apr 01: The US has condemned the killing and dismembering of four American civilian security contractors in Iraq. The White House said it deplored the "horrific attacks" but vowed the US would not be deflected from its mission to bring democracy to Iraq. The four men were shot and burnt in their cars in Falluja, before a cheering crowd dismembered the corpses and hung two of them from a bridge. Also, five US soldiers were killed in a bomb attack near Falluja. Three British soldiers were injured when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device in Basra, about 550 kilometres (340 miles) south-west of Baghdad. The attacks marked one of the bloodiest days for coalition forces in Iraq for weeks. White House spokesman Scott McClellan blamed "terrorists" and supporters of ousted Iraq leader Saddam Hussein for the attacks in Falluja. "It is offensive, it is despicable the way these individuals have been treated," he said, referring to the four men who were killed. "... But democracy is taking root and we are making important progress. We will not turn back from that effort," he added. US firm Blackwater Security Consulting confirmed the four were its personnel, but said in a statement the "exact identities of the victims are not known". The company, based in Moyock, North Carolina, said it had been "providing convoy security for food deliveries in the Falluja area". Witnesses said the contractors were passing through Falluja in two four-wheel-drive vehicles when gunmen opened fire.
Bureau Report