[Iran Press TV Latest] At least five people have been killed and 20 others injured in a suicide bomb explosion in the city of Baquba, the capital of Iraq's restive Diyala province. According to a report published by the AFP news agency, the bomber struck the Shia Abdel Karim al-Madani mosque in the centre of the city at around 9:45 pm local time (1845 GMT) on Monday.
Iraqi security forces cordoned off the scene as ambulances and civilian cars evacuated the victims to the city's hospitals.
Doctor Ahmad al-Wani at Baquba General Hospital stated the fatalities consisted of two police servicemen as well as three civilians.
Diyala, in central Iraq, is considered one of the most dangerous areas of the country since insurgency remains strong there.
Al-Qaeda affiliated militants and various insurgent groups still manage to launch attacks against Iraqi forces and civilians in the religiously mixed province despite security crackdowns in progress.