Officials say gunmen kill policeman and 5 family members in ambush in central Iraq

BAGHDAD – Officials say militants in central Iraq have killed a policeman and five members of his family in an ambush.

Abdul-Karim Abdul-Jabar, mayor of the town Musayyib, says Monday that gunmen stopped the family while they were driving home from a wedding party in a remote area late Sunday. The policeman, his parents, wife and two young children were killed.

Abdul-Jabar added that another 8-year child was wounded. Musayyib is located about 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of the capital Baghdad.

Police and health officials confirmed the casualty figures on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Members of security forces and government officials are the main targets for insurgent groups seeking to undermine government efforts to maintain security.