Six dead in Baghdad blast

A car bomb exploded next to an Iraqi police station just outside Baghdad’s Green Zone today, killing six Iraqi policemen and wounding 10, an Iraqi security official said. It was the second major attack in two days targeting Iraqi police in the capital.

The explosion happened at about 9.30am (6.30am Irish time) near a checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified area, which houses the offices of the interim Iraqi government and several foreign missions, including the US Embassy.

Bursts of automatic gunfire were heard following the blast.

An Iraqi National Guard official at the blast scene, speaking on condition of anonymity, said six Iraqi policemen died in the attack and 10 more wounded.

On Friday, 11 carloads of gunmen drove up to the police station in the city’s western Amil district and attacked it with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, killing 16 policemen. Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s militant group claimed responsibility for that attack.

US Embassy spokesman Bob Callahan said the car bomb detonated close to a checkpoint but caused no US-led coalition casualties.

“Medical units are arriving at the scene now, we know there are some Iraqi casualties.”

Iraqi police sealed off the area, barring reporters from the scene.

One policeman told reporters that the car bomb targeted a police station located opposite an entrance into the Green Zone.

US military spokesman Maj. Jay Antonelli confirmed the blast had occurred near “Checkpoint 3,” which is close to the Convention Centre – a building next to the Green Zone where the American military and embassy regularly stage meetings - and the nearby al-Rashid Hotel, which houses diplomats and foreign contractors.

A police station and various government buildings, including the foreign and housing ministries, also are close to the area where the explosion happened.