Thursday, Jan 20, 2005
Thursday, Jan 20, 2005 |
| Front Page | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Front Page
By Atul Aneja
MANAMA, JAN. 19. A series of blasts have rocked Baghdad, killing at least 26 persons, ahead of the controversial national elections on January 30. Five massive explosions — all suicide car bombings, echoed through the Iraqi capital within a space of 90 minutes this morning. The attacks appeared to target local and foreign security forces. The coordinated strikes took place a day after the Iraqi interim government declared that it was adopting stringent measures to prevent violence during the election phase.
At least 18 persons including five Iraqi police officers were killed when an explosives laden car driven by a suicide bomber exploded near the police headquarters.
The strike resulted in maximum casualties. Half an hour earlier at least two Iraqis were killed and two Australian soldiers were slightly wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded outside the gates of the Australian embassy. Another blast shook the International Airport, killing two Iraqi security guards. Two more soldiers died in an explosion at a military complex.
Claims responsibility
A car bomb also exploded at a bank used to pay police salaries, killing at least one person. A group led by Al-Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attacks on the embassy and two police stations, according to Internet statements. The statements from the Al-Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq said members of the group's "martyrdom squadrons" struck the three locations. The Australian Ambassador Howard Brown said he believed the blast targeted a building used by its security personnel. "It was a car bomb aimed at the building where the security people are based. It was quite a substantial explosion." In Canberra, the acting Foreign Minister, Philip Ruddock, said the attack had blown out windows of the staff residence. The AFP news agency quoted a policeman as saying the suicide bomber had smashed his vehicle against sand barriers and blast walls in front of the building. American troops and tanks swiftly sealed off the area, where burning wreckage was scattered.
China taking steps
China has said that it is taking "all measures" to secure the release of eight of its nationals who were kidnapped in Iraq. An official spokesman said the men had gone to Iraq individually in search of work and, having failed, were returning to China when they were kidnapped. A group calling itself Numan Brigade released a video of the men and called on China, an opponent of the war, to clarify its role in Iraq. The body of a staff member, of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who had disappeared while on duty on 13 January, was found yesterday.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2005, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
