BAGHDAD
Seven people, including four militants, were killed on Sunday in separate attacks near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
"Four militants - believed to be members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) - were killed and two others injured while trying to plant a roadside bomb," Lt. Col. Sabar al-Semedie told Anadolu Agency.
He said the wounded militants went on to kill three people in a nearby village and stole their vehicle.
"The terrorists are being hunted down and the bodies of the three villagers have been taken to the morgue," said al-Semedie.
Col. Arkan Hamdan, for his part, told AA that he had survived a roadside bomb attack near Kirkuk.
He said three of soldiers were injured and their armored vehicle severely damaged in the blast.
Recent months have seen increased upheaval across Iraq, including in Kirkuk.
Although most attacks go unclaimed, Iraqi authorities usually point the finger at Al-Qaeda-linked militants.
By Aref Youssef
englishnews@aa.com.tr
