30 killed in Iraq clash

Fighting between Iraqi police and suspected militia gunmen north east of Baghdad killed 30 people and injured 42, the local police chief said tonight.

The fighting around Baqouba, 35 miles from the capital, marks the latest outbreak of bloodshed involving militants believed to be members of the Mahdi Army militia loyal to hardline anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Ghassan al-Bawi, police chief of surrounding Diyala province, said those killed included 12 police officers and 18 gunmen.