Iraq bomb blasts: At least 16 killed, 30 injured

, March 1: At least 16 people were

and 30 injured when two car bombs ripped off a Shiite neighbourhood here Thursday night, Xinhua reported.

The back to back explosions occurred in Shiite - dominated Shula district of the Iraqi capital city at night -- with the first occurruing outside a restaurant and the second near a football stadium, reported Xinhua citing a police source.

The toll could possibly rise as some of the wounded were in serious conditions, the source added.

A curfew was imposed in the area after the attacks. Thousands of Iraqi Sunnis have been protesting against Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's Shia-led government in their western stronghold of Anbar near the Syrian border. Terror outfit Al-Qadea has urged them to take up arms.

IANS