Tuesday, May 24 2005 08:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: Two car bombs exploded yesterday (May 23, 2005) outside the home of a community leader near the northern city of Mosul, killing at least 20 people and injuring another 20, hospital and police officials said.

The explosions took place in the town of Tal Afar, 80 kilometres west of Mosul, said Khesro Goran, Mosul's deputy governor. Brig Gen Wathiq Mohammed, Mosul's deputy police chief, and Tal Afar General Hospital director Saleh Qaddo Haider, both said at least 20 people were killed. Mohammed said at least 20 were injured.

According to Goran and Mohammed, the attack reportedly targeted Hassan Baktash, a Shiite with close ties to Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party, of which Goran was also a member.

"Two car bombs went off this evening targeting one of Tal Afar's dignitaries, the first car hit Hassan Baktash's house from the front side, killing and injuring some people near the house, and a few minutes later, the second bomber detonated his car when more people gathered to help the wounded. At least 20 civilians were killed and another 20 were wounded," Mohammed said.

Mosul is 360 kilometres northwest of Baghdad.