Special Iraqi army forces, backed by U.S. troops, killed a suspected militant and detained six others during an operation in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in eastern Baghdad on Saturday, the U.S. military said.

The operation targeted a death squad leader who believed to lead a group of 100 militants allegedly conduct and facilitate violence against Iraqi civilians and security forces, the military said in a statement.

During the operation gunmen were spotted "displaying hostile intent" and a U.S. aircraft was called in to support the raiding force "resulting in one enemy fighter killed and another wounded," the statement said.

"Minimal damage was caused to the objective and surrounding area and there were no reports of civilian casualties. There were no Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties," it added.

The sprawling Shiite slum is a major stronghold for Mehdi Army loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Sunnis accuse Mehdi militiamen of targeting their community, a charge Sadr denies.

Source: Xinhua