Violence in Iraq has fallen sharply since the height of sectarian slaughter, but insurgents are increasingly targeting local security forces as the last American troops prepare to withdraw from the country at the end of the year. - AP (File Photo)

BAGHDAD: Two suicide bombers attacked an Iraqi counter-terrorism unit in Tikrit city on Monday, killing at least two policemen and wounding six in a failed attempt to free al Qaeda prisoners, a police official said.

One attacker detonated his suicide vest hoping to kill a high-ranking counter-terrorism officer and the other was shot dead during the attack, Capt. Jassim al-Jibouri, an officer with the Tikrit counter terrorism unit, said.

“They were attempting to reach the prison that holds more than 100 al Qaeda inmates,” Jibouri said.

A hospital source said three policemen were killed and nine wounded in the attack.

Violence in Iraq has fallen sharply since the height of sectarian slaughter, but insurgents are increasingly targeting local security forces as the last American troops prepare to withdraw from the country at the end of the year.