BAGHDAD, March 5 (UPI) -- Gunmen in police uniforms and trucks painted like police vehicles shot and killed at least 20 police officers in Haditha, Iraq, Monday, officials said.
The early morning attack in the largely Sunni Muslim city in western Iraq was staged by about 40 gunmen pretending to be making arrests, local security officials told The New York Times.
Reports of the death toll varied. Security officials told the Times at least 20 officers died. CNN placed the toll at 23, quoting authorities in Ramadi and Baghdad.
The Times report quoted authorities as saying at least one gunman was killed but nearly all of them escaped.
The attack was the latest in a violent campaign against Iraqi military and police forces.
Last month, suicide bombers and gunmen killed dozens of people at police checkpoints across Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq.
The gunmen in the Haditha attack rode in trucks painted like emergency police vehicles, the Times report said.
The attackers killed three police officers in their homes and later engaged security forces in gunbattles at various checkpoints. The attackers also launched grenade attacks on the officers.
