Seven bodies found in Iraq, seven more killed in clashes with insurgents

SAMARRA, Iraq - Seven decomposed bodies were fished out of Lake Tharthar north of the Iraqi capital on Thursday and another seven people were killed in clashes with insurgents, security sources said.
Police said fishermen discovered the men's bodies in the lake near the town of Samarra, a centre of the insurgency.
"The bodies of seven people have been brought in. They are all men killed by gunfire about a week ago," said Dr Mohammad Jaffar at the hospital in the town of Balad.
Two policemen and a civilian were killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and insurgents late Wednesday near Sharkat, some 35 kilometres (20 miles) north of Baghdad.
Thirteen soldiers and five civilians were wounded, the security sources said, without giving a toll for the rebels.
Elsewhere, four soldiers were killed in overnight fighting with rebels near Baiji, further north, the sources said.

05/12/2005 12:56 GMT