Suicide tanker truck kills 3 people in Iraq

[May 11, 2013]  BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraqi officials say that a suicide tanker truck packed with explosives blew up outside the home of an army intelligence officer, killing three people and wounding 18 others in the country's north.

Police officials say that the Saturday blast heavily damaged the house of Brig. Khalaf al-Jubouri in al-Shurqat, 250 kilometers (155 miles) northwest of Baghdad.

Police said that al-Jubouri's son and nephew were among the dead, but the officer himself was not home at the time.

A hospital official confirmed the casualties. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.

Violence has ebbed in Iraq, but insurgent attacks are still frequent.

[Associated Press; BY SAMEER N. YACOUB]

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