BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - American troops and warplanes repulsed a massive insurgent attack against an outpost in the restive northern city of Mosul, killing at least 25 insurgents, the military said yesterday. One US soldier died in hospital after the firefight and 20 were wounded.

The clash began Wednesday afternoon after a truck approached the base and American troops opened fire. The truck, laden with 1,000 pounds of explosives, blew up just outside, US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hastings said.

Reinforcements came under fire by guerrillas using automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades and moving in squads of between 10 and 12. A heavily armoured Stryker vehicle that had left the outpost moments before the truck bomb came across seven roadside bombs that had been laid out for its return, and exploded them safely, Hastings said.

The Americans then called in strikes by F-18 and F-16 fighter jets, which launched three Maverick missiles and conducted several strafing runs against the insurgents. The result was 25 insurgents and one American soldier killed. Twenty Americans were wounded, but 17 returned to duty within hours.

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