Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq    

    BAGHDAD, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A car bomb went off near a police commando patrol in central Baghdad on Thursday, killing three people and wounding 15 others, an interior ministry source said.

    The attack occurred in the afternoon in the Allawi district when the patrol was traveling on the main busy road, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    The blast killed a commando member and wounding 12 others, the source said.

    Two civilians were also killed and three others wounded, the source added.

    A police vehicle was damaged along with several nearby civilian cars, he said.

    Earlier, a ministry source said that 26 people were wounded in Baghdad in several bomb attacks against Iraqi security forces and civilians.

    Sporadic attacks continue in Baghdad despite the U.S. and Iraqi officials' announcement of a relative lull in violence during the past few months.