19 men kidnapped at fake checkpoint, executed in Diyala

Above: Bodies arrive at the Baqouba morgue on Sunday. This is a daily scene in Baqouba, capital of Diyala province.

BAGHDAD, April 2 (Reuters) - The bodies of 19 civilians kidnapped by gunmen at a fake checkpoint north of Baghdad were found on Monday, Iraqi police and hospital sources said.

They said all had been shot in the head and chest in one of the biggest mass kidnappings in months.

Gunmen kidnapped the civilians, men from a Shi'ite village near the city of Baquba, after stopping cars at a fake checkpoint on Sunday. The bodies were found not far from Baquba, which lies 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad.

Read the rest at Reuters/Alternet

Related Link:
Perspective: Bloody first day for crack Stryker Battalion in Diyala

Related Link:
700+ more U.S. soldiers arrive in troubled Diyala province

Related Link:
Report: Dozens of Diyala police abandon posts after death threats

Related Link:
US general wants more troops for Diyala

Related Link:
Perspective: Sunnis striking back

Related Link:
General: Turnover of Diyala may extend into 2008

Related Link:
Insurgents attack U.S. outpost at police station in Tarmiyah as truck bomb ignites fuel, followed by gun battles; 2 dead, 17 wounded

Related Link:
Perspective: Suddenly, an invisible enemy

Related Link:
Report: Sunni insurgents streaming north from Baghdad into Diyala province

Related Link:
2-day battle in Buhriz makes slow progress

Related Link:
Sunni Mayor, 1,500 policemen 'fired' in Diyala

Related Link:
Perspective: Diayala offensive shows Iraqi forces not ready to stand alone

Related Link:
U.S. trumpets improved security in Diyala even as Mayor kidnapped, office blown up, police vehicles stolen

Related Link:
Perspective: After a year's effort, Diyala still a hotbed of sectarian violence

Related Link:
Perspective: Insurgents elusive in Diyala