Six Iraqi Police Officers Killed

At least six Iraqi police officers were killed Friday by insurgents who disguised themselves as women to attack a checkpoint north of Baghdad.

Another 10 people died in attacks in Baghdad and its suburbs, The New York Times reported.

Officials said that a violent upsurge was expected with the final days of the holy month of Ramadan. Some radical Islamists believe that martyrs will receive greater heavenly rewards if they die during Ramadan.

An Interior Ministry official told the Times that the attackers in Buhruz near Baquba were heavily armed with Kalashnikovs, grenades and mortars and used at least five cars. Police reportedly killed at least two insurgents. At least 10 police officers were wounded.

The other casualties included a retired colonel in the Iraqi air force who was gunned down in Baghdad and three people killed by a bomb outside the capital.