Defense Department officials’ confidence in mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles is unshaken after a deadly roadside bomb in Iraq marked the first time a U.S. service member was killed while traveling in one of the armored vehicles.

An Army gunner died, and three other soldiers were wounded when a ‘‘very large, deep-buried” improvised explosive device detonated underneath their MRAP in southern Baghdad Saturday, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a news conference at the Pentagon Tuesday. Morrell told reporters that commanders on the ground estimate the three survivors might not have escaped life-threatening injuries in a less-protected vehicle.

The MRAP, with a distinctive V-shaped hull and beefy profile, has been widely touted by Defense Department and military officials as the best available protection for ground forces. But an article in the New York Times today suggested the first fatality to occur in an MRAP attack dashed all hope that the vehicles represent an achievement in force-protection technology.

‘‘That attack has not, as reported in the headline of a leading newspaper today, caused anyone to question the vehicle’s life-saving capacity,” Morrell countered. ‘‘To the contrary, the attack reaffirmed their survivability.”

Troops kill 20 suspected terrorists, nab 16

Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 20 suspected terrorists, detained 16 others and destroyed several weapons caches in Iraq during the past two days, military officials said.

Troops sought an alleged leader of the Diyala province terrorist network today in an operation north of Baqouba. As coalition forces arrived at the target area, they saw enemy personnel move into fighting positions. The ground force called supporting aircraft to engage the hostile force, killing 10 suspected terrorists.

As coalition forces continued to clear the area, they called for occupants to exit the target building, but occupants inside failed to comply with the request. Several terrorists maneuvered toward coalition forces, who engaged, killing three suspected terrorists, military officials said.

Troops discovered and destroyed two weapons caches containing improvised explosive devices, machine guns, artillery and mortar rounds, military-style assault vests, rocket-propelled grenades and propellant, and ammunition.

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