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Insurgents Launch Attacks On Iraqi Soldiers, Police


7 March 2005 -- In a series of deadly attacks by insurgents in Ba'qubah, north of Baghdad, police and medical officials say at least 10 policemen and Iraqi soldiers were killed, while nearly twice that many were wounded.

Police Colonel Mudhafar al-Jubbori said the attacks today included a car bomb, three roadside bombs, and attacks on two checkpoints in the city.

The U.S. military said a mortar round was also fired into the center of the city, followed by an attack on police by small-arms fire.

Ba'qubah is a mixed Sunni and Shi'ite city 65 kilometers north of the capital, where there have been frequent attacks by insurgents.

Meanwhile, a Jordanian businessman has been kidnapped in Iraq and his abductors are demanding a $250,000 ransom.

The Jordanian Embassy in Iraq said businessman Ibrahim al-Maharmeh was abducted by "thieves and blackmailers" several days ago in the Mansur neighborhood of Baghdad.

Al-Maharmeh's brother Taha was kidnapped in Iraq three months ago and freed after the family paid a $50,000 ransom.

(AP/AFP/Reuters)

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