Cops want 'watermelon assassin'

2005-06-01 11:14

Samarra - An Iraqi soldier died from poisoning and nine others were in critical condition after they ate free watermelon handed out at a checkpoint in northern Iraq, police said Wednesday.

"A vendor offered a poisoned watermelon on Monday to Iraqi soldiers manning checkpoints between Shorgat and Kiyara," said police Colonel Fares Mahdi.

"One soldier died and nine others who were rushed to the hospital are in critical condition."

Police were searching for the assassin in what is believed to be the first such attack against Iraqi security forces.

- AFP