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20 pilgrims killed in Baghdad bombings

By IANS,

Baghdad: At least 20 people were killed and 44 injured in two separate bomb blasts which targetted Shiite pilgrims Saturday, Xinhua reported.

According to an interior ministry source, the first attack occurred around mid-day when a booby-trapped car struck a procession of Shiite pilgrims at an intersection in Shula district in northwestern Baghdad. It killed up to 14 pilgrims and wounded 32 others.

About two hours later, a second car bomb hit Shiite pilgrims near Sanaa Square outside the holy Shiite shrine district of Kadhmiyah in northern Baghdad, killing at least six pilgrims and wounding 12, the source added.

The pilgrims were marching on foot to return to their homes after having participated in the observation of one of the major Shiite rituals in the holy Shiite district of Kadhmiyah.

About six million pilgrims from various parts of Baghdad and other provinces have gathered near the Imam Mussa al-Kadhim shrine in Kadhmiyah district for the annual commemoration of the death of the 7th most sacred 12 Shiite Imams.