News From Iraq

Following are security and other developments in Iraq reported on Sunday, as of 1300 GMT.

BAGHDAD - At least 20 people died and more than 300 were hurt in Baghdad in attacks on Shi'ite pilgrims who gathered in their hundreds of thousands for a religious festival in the capital, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

KERBALA - A policeman and a gunman were killed in clashes in the holy Shi'ite city of Kerbala, 110 km (68 miles) south of Baghdad, police said. A further two policemen were wounded and four gunmen arrested. It was not clear what sparked the fighting or whether the gunmen were linked to armed militia in the city.

JURF AL-SAKHAR - Police said they found the bodies of two unidentified men in fields in Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad. They had been shot in the chest and head.

BAGHDAD - Defence minister says 14 soldiers were wounded and 30 suspected insurgents and militants arrested in violence against pilgrims in Baghdad on Sunday.

BAQUBA - Gunmen killed seven people, including two brothers in the local police force, police said.

DIWANIYA - Two people were killed and two wounded by a mortar attack on a car park in the town of Diwaniya, 180 km (110 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.