Topic: Death toll from Iraq clash hits 31

Media: AFP
Byline: n/a
Date: 27 October 2006

BAQUBA - A vicious battle between Iraqi police and insurgents in the
killing fields north of Baghdad left at least 12 officers and 19 rebels
dead, the interior ministry said Friday, revising an earlier toll.

Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf said Thursday's pre-dawn clash near
the restive town of Baquba began when insurgents ambushed a police squad
responding to an intelligence report of a rebel hideout.

"The clashes took place over an area 25 kilometres (15 miles) long. All
nearby police units were involved, including the rapid response squad," the
ministry spokesman told AFP.

"Nineteen terrorists were killed and 28 others were arrested. We lost 12
martyrs including the town of Khan Bani Saad's police chief, Colonel Abbas
Al-Ameri Tamimi," he said.

"We had 18 policemen injured, then we managed to secure the region. The
situation is stable now," he said. Police also raided a Baquba hospital to
arrest two wounded insurgents, he added.

Thursday's battle erupted near the village of Ibn Khaldun, west of Baquba
and 40 kilometres (24 miles) north of Baghdad, in an area of Diyala
province notorious for rebel violence and brutal sectarian warfare.

Over the past week Diyala police have been drawn into a fierce conflict
with suspected Sunni insurgents, who killed 17 unarmed Shiite police
trainees in an ambush Sunday and kidnapped several more.