GULMIRA - The peaceful people of the middle-eastern village of Gulmira were saved from being massacred by a well known terrorist group yesterday when an unknown individual appeared from out of nowhere clad in a hi-tech suit of armor and promptly ended the bloody conflict by neutralizing the terrorists.

“We have no idea who that guy was,” quoted a high-ranking US Army officer who wishes to be anonymous. “But we really owe him for this one. Gulmira was way out of our jurisdiction, so our forces can’t do squat about the terrorist conflict. I guess that guy in the suit knew about this and did the business for us.”

When interviewed, the villagers described the mysterious vigilante as ‘an angel who descended from the heavens in a red-and-gold scheme suit of armor.’ The suit was reportedly highly resistant to ballistic damage and was equipped with hi-tech weaponry, as witnesses claimed that the vigilante dispatched the terrorists using what appeared to be ‘energy bursts’ that came right out of the vigilante’s palms. According to eye-witness accounts, other armaments include a small missile that was launched from his suit’s forearm that took out a terrorist tank, and two shoulder-mounted cannons that were used in a hostage situation.

After the last of the subdued terrorists was handed to the local residents, the vigilante flew away on what eye-witnesses described as rocket-powered boots. “When I grow up, I want to be just like that nice man in the cool armor,” quoted Ahmed, age 9, who lost his both his parents in the conflict.

When pressed for details, Tony Stark, chairman of Stark Enterprises, the worlds largest developer of hi-tech weaponry, had this to say: “On behalf of Stark Enterprises and Associates, I would like to declare that we have no knowledge and connection with this ‘Iron Man’ character. However, personally, I would like to say that whoever it was flying in that shiny suit was a pretty nice guy, and a charming one to boot.”

In unrelated news, there have been unconfirmed sightings of a large, green humanoid creature wreaking havoc in several areas within New Mexico. General Thaddeus Ross of the U.S. army was unable for comment.

- AP