Sunni Women, Children Among 33 Bodies Found in Mass Grave
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Iraqi officials say a mass grave containing the bodies of 33 men, women and children has been found in a former Sunni insurgent stronghold north of Baghdad.
Amer Riffat of the Diyala provincial council says the bodies were discovered Saturday near Khalis.
A police officer says the bodies showed signs of being blindfolded and shot. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police say they believe the victims were killed by Al Qaeda in Iraq militants who wielded sway in the area before a recent downturn in violence.
Mass graves have been turning up with increasing frequency as U.S. and Iraqi military operations have cleared former militant strongholds and allowed patrols there.