Baghdad bombs strike Shi'ite pilgrims

Two mortar bombs struck here in the Iraqi capital on Sunday.

The blasts killed at least six people and wounded 38 when they detonated in the square filled with Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims, according to police and hospital sources.

The attack took place as the pilgrims were gathering ahead of a religious festival in the Kadhimiya district to commemorate the death of 8th century Shi'ite Imam Moussa al-Kadhim.

An Interior Ministry source said security forces have been put on high alert, and that a tight security belt was in place to prevent further attacks on pilgrims.

During the same religious pilgrimage in 2005, about 1,000 people were killed when rumours of a bombing on a bridge triggered a stampede that sent the crowds tumbling into the river below.

Travis Brecher, Reuters