(22 Jun 2008) SHOTLIST
1. Wide exterior of hospital
2. Various of wounded on hospital beds
3. Wide of doctors and wounded
4. Various of relatives by bodies covered with sheets
5. Wide of man looking at body on trolley
6. Various of relatives by bodies covered with sheets
STORYLINE:
A female suicide bomber struck near a government compound northeast of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and wounding 40, police said.
The bomber detonated her explosives in front of a heavily guarded area that includes the courthouse, the post office and the governor's offices in the city of Baqouba, a police officer said.
The attack occurred about 1 p.m. (1000 GMT), at a time when large numbers of people were visiting the compound to get official papers or conduct other business.
At least 21 suicide attacks have been carried out this year by women.
The U.S. military has warned that women bombers are being increasingly recruited by al-Qaida in Iraq because they can more easily avoid security searches.
The bomber on Sunday apparently had hidden an explosives belt under a traditional black Islamic robe usually worn by Iraqi women.
Police said she was targeting a police patrol that was about 200 metres (yards) away from the compound but many civilians were nearby at stalls selling refreshments, tea and cigarettes as well as vendors preparing court documents outside.
One man who was hit by shrapnel in his hand and shoulder said the blast occurred as many people were leaving the compound ahead of the 2 p.m. (1100 GMT) close of business.
The 15 killed included seven policemen, the officer said, giving the casualty toll on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorised to release the information.
The U.S. military confirmed it was a female suicide bombing but gave a slightly lower death toll of 14, seven police and seven civilians.
Pictures showed some of the injured being treated, and also bodies covered with sheets in the hospital compound.
Baqouba, 35 miles (60 kilometres) northeast of Baghdad and the capital of Diyala province, was an al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold until local tribal leaders joined forces with the Americans against turned against the terror network, helping to curb the violence.
But the city and surrounding areas have seen a series of attacks that have chipped away at recent security gains.
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