Uncertainty over Iraqi police clash in Baghdad

Baghdad, Nov 5: Iraq's Interior Ministry said police killed more than 50 insurgents in an operation to free hostages in Baghdad on Saturday but the US military said it could not confirm the report.

Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf said today there was a fierce battle between Iraqi police and insurgents in southeast Baghdad yesterday when police went to try to free around 40 hostages. Khalaf said no hostages were found.

A US military spokeswoman said Iraqi police had initially reported the figure of 52 killed to US forces, who were not involved in the reported clash.

The spokeswoman first told Reuters that had turned out to be inaccurate and in fact no insurgents were killed, but later withdrew that and said she was unable to comment on casualty numbers.

''We were not involved,'' she said. ''We are referring everything to the Iraqi government.'' A death toll of 52 would make the clash one of the most serious in months.

Reuters