1st LD: Suicide truck bomb hits crowded checkpoint near Baghdad, dozens killed

A suicide truck bomb Sunday struck a crowded security checkpoint in north of the city of Hilla, the capital of Iraq's central province of Babil, leaving dozens of people killed and wounded, a provincial security source told Xinhua.

The attack occurred around noon when a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into al-Athar security checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hilla, some 100 km south of Baghdad, destroying the checkpoint buildings and leaving dozens of vehicles badly damaged, the source said on condition of anonymity.

There is no immediate report about exact numbers of casualties, but dozens of people and security members are believed to be killed and wounded by the massive bombing, the source said.

The Islamic State (IS) has frequently targeted areas where large crowds gather, including checkpoints, markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.

Iraq is currently witnessing a wave of violence since the IS group took control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions in June 2014. Endit