Baqouba (Iraq): Two car bombs, one of them driven by a suicide attacker, exploded today (Nov 22) at police stations in a pair of towns near Baghdad, killing at least 16 people, most of them policemen, US and Iraqi officials said.

The first blast occurred in Baqouba, about 60 kms Northeast of Baghdad. Minutes later, a suicide driver exploded his car at the gate of the police station in Khan Bani Saad, a crowded market town about 20 kms South of Baqouba on the road to Baghdad.

Reports said six officers died in the Baqouba explosion, which left a large hole at the entrance to the building and that at least 10 civilians were hurt.

The Khan Bani Saad explosion killed six policemen and three civilians apart from the suicide driver. Iraqi police said one of the dead was a five-year-old girl. Ten people were injured.

There were no US or other coalition casualties.

Khan Bani Saad and Baqouba are part of the so-called Sunni Triangle North and West of the capital that has seen fierce resistance to the US-led occupation.

Agencies