U.S.-led forces target militants

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S.-led coalition forces killed an estimated 11 "terrorists" early Thursday, during operations targeting criminal networks in southeastern Iraq, a statement from Multi-National Force - Iraq said.

And a hidden bomb exploded inside a minibus in eastern Baghdad's Baladiyat neighborhood Thursday morning, killing two passengers, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said

Coalition forces came under fire in the city of Kut, about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Baghdad, as they attempted to pin down an individual "reportedly responsible for attacks against Coalition forces and supporters of Coalition forces."

"When Coalition forces approached the target area they were engaged by terrorists with direct enemy fire from assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades," the statement said. "Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire, and called for supporting aircraft to engage."

Assessments after the fighting determined that about 11 "terrorists" were killed during the fighting, the statement said. No suspects were detained during the operation.

In Ramadi, Iraqi police and U.S. Special Forces detained two individuals believed to have been involved in the kidnapping and transport of three U.S. soldiers abducted in May, following an ambush near Mahmudiya. The operations took place on Monday and Tuesday.

"One of the suspected terrorists is believed to have facilitated the kidnapping and is reported to have used his residence to aid in the hiding and transport of the captured Soldiers," a Multi-National Corps - Iraq statement said.

"During a previous operation, a U.S. weapon belonging to one of the abducted Soldiers was recovered at a residence of the second suspect."

Four other individuals were detained for questioning, according to the statement. Ramadi is located about 60 miles (100 km) west of the Iraqi capital.

Meanwhile, a hidden bomb exploded inside a minibus in eastern Baghdad's Baladiyat neighborhood Thursday morning, killing two passengers and wounding 12 others, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. The attack in the Shiite area took place around 9 a.m. (1 a.m. ET).

In central Baghdad, a roadside bomb hit an Iraqi police patrol in al-Andalous Square about 30 minutes earlier, wounding four people -- two of them police officers. E-mail to a friend

CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report.

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