Three army officers gunned down in Iraq

Gunmen ambushed a car carrying an Iraq general in a Shiite neighbourhood of Baghdad today, killing him and two companions, police officials said.

Brig. Gen. Jadaan Farhan and his companions were travelling in a white four-wheel drive vehicle through Baghdad’s Kazimiyah district when the attack occurred, an Iraqi police officer said.

They were killed inside the car, their bodies left for emergency services to recover, witnesses said.

Insurgents have continuously stepped up attacks against Iraq’s security forces since the January 30 national elections, which the United States hopes will eventually take over the security burden in the country.