Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

A doctor tends to bomb blast victims in a hospital in Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad July 15, 2008. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BAGHDAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the twin suicide bombings at a recruitment center for the Iraqi army in the city of Baquba, capital of Diyala province, Tuesday morning rose to 28 with 64 others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.

    "I can confirm that up to 28 people were killed and some 64 others wounded by the Baquba twin suicide bombings," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    Earlier, the source put the toll at 23 killed and 68 others injured when two suicide bombers blew up their explosive vests among dozens of young men crowded to sign up for the Iraqi Army at the Saad base in the city of Baquba, about 65 km northeast of Baghdad, the source said.

    The source told Xinhua that one of the two bombers disguised in a military uniform, adding that they infiltrated among the crowds and blew themselves up.

    U.S. and Iraqi security forces cordoned off the area while ambulances and civilian cars transported the casualties to the city hospitals, he added.

    Diyala province, which stretches from the eastern edges of Baghdad to the Iranian border, has long been a stronghold for al-Qaida in Iraq network.

    The attack in Diyala province came as the U.S. and Iraqi security forces have been conducting major offensives against extremist Sunni and Shiite militiamen across the war-torn country.