SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Five federal policemen were killed in an explosion in south of Kirkuk early on Friday, Iraqi media reported.
Shafaq News cited a security source as saying that an improvised explosive device (IED) hit a Humvee carrying the federal police in Wadi al-Hamamat in Daquq district.
At least five federal policemen were killed in the blast, the source added.
It was not immediately clear who planted the IED but Iraqi security officials say Islamic State (ISIS) remnants are active in the province.
The Iraqi forces have carried out several operations against the militants in the province in the past months.
As many as 11 ISIS suspects including two “dangerous terrorists” in Kirkuk province, Iraq’s media security cell said on Thursday.
On June 19, the Iraqi intelligence units detained 10 ISIS suspects in Kirkuk province. The suspects acted as sleeper cells, according to the security media cell.
The federal government announced victory over ISIS by the end of 2017 after Iraqi and Kurdish forces backed by U.S.-led Coalition regained control of areas once captured by the militant group.
Despite its defeat, ISIS still poses a threat to the security and stability of the country as there are still sleeper cells in Iraq.
