Policeman and four family members killed in Baghdad

THE bodies of a Sunni policeman and four of his family members were found on the outskirts of a village north of Baghdad yesterday morning, just hours after they were abducted from their home by gunmen, authorities said.

The assault occurred in Diyala province, where al-Qaida in Iraq retains a presence and violence has remained, despite drops elsewhere.

Extremists have long targeted Iraqi policemen and al-Qaida in Iraq has repeatedly said it will aggressively target Iraqis who join the security forces.