A roadside bomb went off near an Iraqi army patrol in western Iraq, killing ten soldiers and wounding five others, witnesses said Thursday.

"An explosive charge detonated near a passing Iraqi army patrol on the main road west of Haditha town late Wednesday, killing ten soldiers and wounding five others," local residents told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The blast, which destroyed a truck carrying the soldiers, was followed by a 15-minute fighting between soldiers and unknown gunmen, they said, adding more Iraqi and U.S. forces blocked the area searching for the attackers.

There was no immediate U.S. and Iraqi military comment.

Source: Xinhua