Deadly Baghdad blast kills two, injures three
According to Kurdistan24's on-the-ground reporter, Dilan Barzan, the blast occurred in close proximity to an Iraqi army checkpoint.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - A devastating explosion rocked the al-Salamiyat neighborhood in Baghdad's al-Shu'ala area on Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of an Iraqi army soldier and a tuk-tuk driver, while leaving three others injured.
According to Kurdistan24's on-the-ground reporter, Dilan Barzan, the blast occurred in close proximity to an Iraqi army checkpoint.
Initial investigations suggest that the tuk-tuk driver was carrying a concealed explosive device within a box, which he then handed over to an unsuspecting soldier. The bomb detonated upon being opened, resulting in the immediate deaths of both the soldier and the driver.
Baghdad Operations Commander Lieutenant General Walid al-Tamimi confirmed the incident's location in the al-Salamiyat area of northern Baghdad in a statement to local media.
Baghdad blast a 'criminal act,' not terrorism, confirms Commander.
Lieutenant General Walid al-Tamimi, the commander of Baghdad Operations, has confirmed that the deadly explosion in the Salamiyat area was the result of a criminal act, not terrorism.
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Tamimi explained that the blast occurred when a bomb, concealed within a gift box, detonated as it was being delivered to a civilian near a military checkpoint. The delivery was made via a tuk-tuk.
Tragically, the explosion resulted in the deaths of the tuk-tuk driver and a soldier at the checkpoint. Another soldier and the intended recipient of the package were also injured.
Al-Tamimi emphasized that the incident stemmed from personal disputes and not any terrorist agenda. He assured the public that a dedicated task force has been assembled to investigate the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Updated.