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Gunmen Kill 25 Iraq Cops

Carefully planned convoy of killers posed as security

By Mark Russell, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2012 3:44 AM CST

(Newser) – It was a morning of violence in the insurgent stronghold of Haditha in western Iraq as gunmen killed 25 police officers and injured at least three others, reports AP. The gang was dressed in military uniforms and driving in a convoy of 13 vehicles painted like they were from the Interior Ministry. They first kidnapped two police commanders from their homes, claiming to have arrest warrants for them, then drove a short distance and shot them. All told, the gang had 15 false arrest warrants. They were finally stopped at two police checkpoints, leading to gunfights that killed three gunmen, but the rest escaped.

Iraqi police officers patrol a main road leading out of the town of Haditha in 2009. (Getty Images)

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Gunmen Kill 25 Iraq Cops

Carefully planned convoy of killers posed as security

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