Suicide bombers kill 20 policemen in Iraq
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-30 15:44

Two suicide bombers attacked a large crowd of police special forces south of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 20 policemen and wounding 100, police and hospitals officials said.

Capt. Muthana Khalid Ali said the attack happened at 9:15 a.m. in Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, when two suicide bombers wearing an explosive belts blew themselves up in the middle of a group of policemen.

Iraqi police and soldiers immediately cordoned off the area, which was covered with pieces of flesh, pools of blood and shreds of clothing.

An Iraqi soldier gestures to a vehicle at a checkpoint set-up along a highway leading south out of Baghdad. At least 20 former police commandos were killed and 100 wounded in a double suicide bombing outside government offices in Hilla, south of Baghdad. [AFP]

Ali said initial estimates said at least 20 policemen had been killed and 100 wounded.

Dr. Ayad Jabr, of Hillah Hospital, said ambulances have brought the bodies of 20 slain policemen to his hospital. Another 100 wounded policemen were brought to the hospital for treatment.

About 500 policemen had gathered outside the local mayor's office to protest a government decision to disband their special forces unit.

Ali alleged some policemen had presented fake documents to the Hillah mayor's office several months ago approving the opening of a special forces unit in this city.

But the new government, announced April 28, discovered the documents were not legitimate and decided to close the special forces station, Ali added. Interior Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.

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