Iraqi forces find 47 more bodies around Baghdad

Baghdad, Sep 16: Iraqi police found 47 bodies around the capital Baghdad in the past 24 hours, most of whom appeared to have been the victims of sectarian violence, police said today.

Most of the bodies were found with their hands bound and some bore signs of torture, shortly signs of sectarian death squads who ''execute'' people briefly after their kidnapping.

The US military has confirmed a ''spike'' in such killings this week despite a major month-old security crackdown, Operation Together Forward, that has seen US troops have their service time in Iraq extended to reinforce the capital.

Twenty six bodies were found in the mainly Sunni western part of the capital with the other 21 found in eastern Baghdad's predominantly Shi'ite side.

The United Nations has said an average of 100 Iraqis are killed every day. Sectarian violence has spiralled ever since the February bombing of a Shi'ite shrine by Sunni insurgents sparked tit-for-tat reprisal killings.

Reuters