1st LD: 6 killed, 42 wounded in twin bomb attacks in Iraq

At least six people were killed and 42 others wounded in two car bombing attacks at a marketplace in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala on Saturday, a provincial security source told Xinhua.

The attack occurred in the morning when two booby-trapped cars detonated in a quick succession at a crowded popular market in the town of Baladruz, east of the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The toll could rise as many of the wounded were in a critical conditions, the source added.

The coordinated attacks came despite the fact that Iraqi security forces announced they have freed the whole province of Diyala from the Islamic State (IS) group after days of major offensive.

Hadi al-Ameri, a leading figure in the powerful Shiite party Badr Organization, said that "individuals from IS militants are now separately hiding in some orchards and hideouts, but they will be hunted down by the security forces." Endit