Three dead in bomb attack on Iraqi National Guard

An Iraqi National Guard patrol was hit by a car bomb in central Iraq today, killing at least three people, Iraqi officials said.

An officer in the National Guard, who declined to give his name, said four guardsmen were seriously injured in the attack in Iskandariyah, an insurgent hot-spot 30 miles south of Baghdad.

Dr Wisam Abbas of Iskandariyah Hospital said three people were killed and 10 others injured in the blast.

Some 800 British troops have been redeployed to that area south of the capital to take over security responsibilities from US troops who are being moved to prepare for a mass assault on the main insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, west of Baghdad.