Iraqi officials said Monday that U.S.-backed Iraqi troops had targeted a heavily armed religious cult called “Soldiers of Heaven” in a weekend battle that left 200 fighters dead, including the group’s leader, near the holy city of Najaf. Both Mohammed al-Askari, the defense ministry spokesman, and an Iraqi military commander in charge of the Najaf area said 200 terrorists were killed and 60 wounded, lowering previous estimates for the battle outside the holy city. Maj. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi, the commander, said there were 150 prisoners and al-Askari said 120 people had been taken captive. Full Story