Iraqi judge, son gunned down in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- A senior Iraqi Justice Ministry official and his son were assassinated by gunmen outside their home in Baghdad Tuesday morning, CNN reported.

Judge Qais Hashim al-Shonmari was leaving his home when the drive-by shooting took place, the most recent in an escalated attempt by insurgents to disrupt elections scheduled for Sunday.

Elsewhere, the U.S. military announced Tuesday the loss of six soldiers -- one by a roadside bomb, and five others in a traffic accident.

The roadside bomb attack came late Monday in western Baghdad as a U.S. patrol was passing.

"Five 1st Infantry Division soldiers died and two were injured in a vehicle accident near Khan Bani Saad", a military statement said.

It said one of the wounded was in a serious condition, but gave no further details.

In other violence, a firefight broke out midday Tuesday near the Rashad police station in southeastern Baghdad, according to the Iraqi Interior Ministry. Two Iraq police officers were killed in the battle.