BAGHDAD, Jan. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- A total of 15 Iraqi National Guardsmen were shot dead by an Iraqi militant group, a websitestatement said Saturday.

    Ansar al-Sunna, an Islamic group believed to have links with al-Qaida network, said its militants executed the 15 Iraqi soldiers,who were kidnapped previously in the central region of Hit. The authenticity of the statement could not be independently verified. Enditem