By Xinhua
Baghdad : Twenty decapitated bodies were found north of Baghdad with one of them believed to be a tribal leader, Iraqi police said Monday.
A local police source told Xinhua that the bodies were discovered at the Gsarin village near Baquba, capital of Diyala province.
The source said the bodies were found bleeding, which meant they were beheaded not long ago.
He said the identification process was underway, adding that one of the victims was believed to be a tribal leader. Tribal leaders, who are moving toward joining the government in striking relentless discriminate killings believed to be perpetrated by al-Qaida, have been increasingly targeted.
Baquba, some 65 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, has been a hotbed of insurgency and sectarian violence since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
Early in the day, a suicide bomber killed at least 25 police recruits and officers in the city, wounding 22 others.
The attacker blew himself up at Ishbiliyah Square where the recruits were gathering outside the police headquarters to sign up for joining the Iraqi police.