Suicide bomber kills police chief in Iraq city

BAGHDAD, Sep 24 (Reuters) A suicide bomber killed the police chief of the Iraqi city of Baquba and two other senior officers when he blew himself up inside a mosque compound today, police said.

Police said other people were killed and wounded in the attack, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, but they had no details.

The wounded included tribal leaders.

The bomber entered the compound while senior police officers and tribal leaders were attending a meal to mark the breaking of the daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan, police said.

They named the police chief as Brigadier-General Ali Dulayyan. Two other police brigadier-generals were also killed.

Baquba is the capital of volatile Diyala province.

Diyala has been the scene of several US and Iraqi offensives in recent months aimed at combating al Qaeda in Iraq militants who had overrun parts of the province, including Baquba. US commanders say the operations have helped improve security.

REUTERS GT RK2305