BAGHDAD, Feb 25: A series of bombings, including a car bomb attack in Karbala, and shootings across Iraq killed 24 people and left dozens wounded on Saturday.

Eight people were killed and over 50 injured when a car bomb went off on a busy shopping street in Karbala.

In Baghdad, the bodies of 14 police commandos were found near a mosque near which clashes took place on Friday night.

The fighting took place between police commandos and unidentified men wearing the colours of a militia.

The 14 deaths marked a high battle casualty toll for Iraqi security forces, who have faced mounting pressure to end bloodshed since the bombing of a shrine on Wednesday raised fears of a civil war.

In Karbala, a police official told Iraqi television that police were alerted to a suspicious car parked 200 metres from a security checkpoint and went to investigate.

The car then exploded, killing three policeman and five civilians.

Akil Mohammed, 30, said he saw two people drive the explosives-packed vehicle into the street.—AFP