Policeman killed in armed attack north of Kirkuk
Member of the Iraqi police. File photo.
Alsumaria News quoted the source saying that the gunman shot at the police agent in Raheem Awa district, killing him immediately before escaping to an unknown destination.
The attacker’s identity was not uncovered immediately, but Islamic State militants have stepped up attacks against security members and civilians over the past few months across Iraqi provinces where they have a presence.
An attack four days ago on a military base in Kirkuk, where U.S. advisers are stationed, left two members of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, as well as five militants, dead.
It is believed that IS is escalating attacks to make up for losses in Mosul, its largest bastion in Iraq where Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, have been battling the group since October and became close to recapture the city.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Nineveh, where U.S.-backed Iraqi government troops are caught up in battles against Islamic State militants in Mosul since October, was the most affected governorate, with 276 casualties (153 killed, 123 injured). Baghdad Governorate followed with 55 killed and 179 injured. Salahuddin came third, with 15 killed and 43 injured.