Iraqi officials: Suicide car bomb kills 5 people north of Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say a suicide car bomb attack on a police checkpoint north of Baghdad has killed five people, including three policemen.

Police officials say the bomber rammed his explosive-laden car on Monday against the checkpoint near the city of Samarra, about 95 kilometres (60 miles) from Baghdad.

Police say that the attack also wounded 11 people.

A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Violence has been escalating in Iraq and last year, the country saw its highest death toll since the worst of the sectarian bloodletting began to subside in 2007.

On April 30, Iraq is to hold its first parliamentary elections since the withdrawal of U.S. troops in late 2011.