Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, April 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. troops arrested 72 suspected insurgents and seized nitric acid along with other bomb-making materials in overnight raids on al-Qaida in the north and west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Sunday.

    The raids in Samarra, some 120 km north of Baghdad, led to capture of 36 insurgents allegedly with ties to al-Qaida network, the military said in a statement.

    Following intelligence reports, the U.S. troops also seized 20five-gallon drums of nitric acid and other bomb-making materials near Karma, a town close to restive city of Falluaja, some 50 km west of Baghdad, the statement added.

    For its part, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said the security forces captured 17 insurgents and 121 suspects during the past 48 hours.