British security guard shot dead in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Oct 15 (AFP) - A British security guard has been shot dead near the northern Iraqi oil centre of Kirkuk, his employer said on Friday, becoming the latest victim in a violent insurgency that has targeted foreign contractors here.
The ArmorGroup employee died of gunshot wounds suffered during an incident in Taza, south of of Kirkuk, on October 11, the security company said in a statement.
"Investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing and we will comment further once that investigation has been completed," it said.
A British source said he believed the shooting happened at a power plant near Kirkuk.
Foreign companies are a prize target in a surge of violence that has shaken Iraq since last year's US-led invasion.
Kenneth Bigley, a British engineer, was abducted from his home in Baghdad last month along with two US colleagues. All three were beheaded by Islamic extremists.
On Wednesday, the British Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Iraq, warning its nationals that they could be targeted by kidnappers in the north of the war-torn country.