19 killed in surge of violence as 29 kidnapped in Baghdad

At least 19 people, including four soldiers, were killed in a suicide bombing today, as gunmen in military fatigues kidnapped 29 people, the latest victims of the violence and lawlessness sweeping Iraq, police said.

The suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck near an Iraqi observation post outside the northern town of Mosul, killing four soldiers and wounding six, said an army officer.