Eight Iraqi police killed in checkpoint assault

BAGHDAD, Feb 24 (Reuters) Gunmen in two vehicles stormed an Iraqi police checkpoint near Baghdad airport today, killing eight police officers and wounding two others, the US military said. Two militants were also killed.

''Eight to ten gunmen exited the lead vehicle, firing assault rifles and throwing hand grenades at the policemen,'' a US statement said.

The second vehicle was forced into a ditch where it was cordoned off on suspicion it could be a suicide car bomb.

US forces came to the aid of the Iraqi police and called in air support. The attack took place on a road around two miles (3 km) south of Baghdad airport at noon, the statement said.

REUTERS SAM RK2125