Ten people killed in mortar attack in Baghdad-police

BAGHDAD, June 1 (Reuters) Ten people were killed and 30 wounded in a militant mortar attack on a Shi'ite district in southwestern Baghdad after nightfall today, police said.

Police said three houses were severely damaged and seven cars destroyed in the attack on the Um al-Maamlif district.

Mortar attacks have become increasingly common in Baghdad as a major security crackdown by thousands of US and Iraqi troops makes it difficult for militants to move about.

REUTERS AM RN2241