A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said two roadside bomb teams were hit by British forces while they were laying their devices. The incident took place on the outskirts of the Hyall Shuala District to the west of Basra City.

"It is assessed that eight of those laying the devices were killed," the spokesperson said.

The location of the strike was close to where two roadside bomb attacks took place last week - one of which killed the four British troops.

"It is not possible to directly link those killed with last week's roadside bombs," the spokesperson said. "However, these militiamen were intent upon launching exactly the same type of attack in the same area."

The security operation was launched by the Multi-National Division (MND) (SE) Force Reserve, 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Battlegroup.

Lt Col Kevin Stratford-Wright, spokesman for MND(SE), said: "The Multi-National Force in south east Iraq must be able to strike those militia who seek to kill its soldiers, and who also intimidate the people of Basra with death threats.

"Operations against rogue militia will therefore continue, especially so against their leadership and their weapons stocks but also, as in this case, against operatives.

"Increasingly, over the coming weeks and months, these operations will become Iraqi-led and executed.

"Disrupting militia operations and eroding their capabilities, alongside building Iraqi Security Force capacity, will create the conditions for successful security transition in Basra."