Iraq explosion kills 12 trying to dismantle decoy bomb

Policemen were dismantling what appeared to be a decoy roadside bomb near Kirkuk today when another bomb exploded, killing 12 officers and injuring three others, police said.

Police Brigadier Sarhat Qadir said the explosion occurred 10 miles north west of Kirkuk as a group of police were trying to cordon off the area. He said officials believed the bomb being dismantled was a decoy to draw in more police before the second bomb exploded.