BAGHDAD, March 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraqi security forces raided a rebel stronghold early Saturday, detaining 131 suspected insurgentsand seizing tons of explosives in southern Iraq, the Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV channel reported.

    "It was a surprise and very successful operation based on intensive surveillance by military intelligence," the channel quoted Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim Shaalan as saying.

    The security forces backed by US helicopters launched a raid in Jurf al-Sakhr area of the holy city of Karbala, about 60 km south of Baghdad, a source at the defense ministry said.

    Shiite Muslims began marching to Karbala on Friday for a major Sunday festival in commemoration of the slayed Imam Hussein about 14 centuries ago.

    The procession has already been hit by three suicide bombings, which killed two people and wounded 24 others, most of them pilgrims. Enditem