BAGHDAD (AFP) - Three heads and decapitated bodies, thought to be of Iraqi civilians, were discovered on a roadside north of Baghdad, the US military and Iraqi police told reporters.
The bodies were found "on a roadside west of Balad at 7:05 am (0305 GMT) ... At this point, we`re assuming they`re Iraqi civilians," said Master Sergeant Robert Powell, based in Tikrit.
"The bodies were found decapitated. The remains were all found together," said Wednesday.
An AFP correspondent said the remains, which were brought back to Balad, were stuffed in bags and tattooed with inscriptions.
"The bodies were unrecognisable and it seems they were killed several days ago," said police Lieutenant Colonel Hameed Ahmed in Balad.
Doctor Adel Ahmed of the town`s hospital estimated the three had been dead for around five days.
The bodies were found near Ad-Dujail, between Baghdad and Balad. The town lies near the main motorway serving northern Iraq, on which scores of lorry drivers have been kidnapped in recent months.
A car bomb exploded in Ad Dujail on September 5, wounding one US soldier and several Iraqis.