Iraqi officials say gunmen kill Sunni anti-al-Qaida fighter and his 2 sons

BAGHDAD – Iraqi authorities say gunmen broke into the house of an anti-al-Qaida militiaman north of Baghdad and killed him and his two sons.

A police officer says the killings took place early Sunday when gunmen, armed with pistols fitted with silencers, rushed into the house near the city of Samarra, 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad.

A health official confirmed the death toll. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.

The pro-government group known as Sahwa, of which the man was a member, joined forces with U.S. troops at the height of the Iraq war to fight al-Qaida. Ever since then, it has been a target for Sunni insurgents who call its members traitors.