Monday 17 January 2005, 11:29 Makka Time, 8:29 GMT
Seven members of the National Guard plus one Iraqi died , today in a ambush with a car bomb at the checkpoint of al-Navar, close to the town of Baquba.
Fifteen others were wounded when the checkpoint came under fire at 6am (0300GMT), as reported by the Iraqi army.
Dr Ahmad Fuad said that three bodies were completely burnt.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hassan Salah said: "A Caprice-type vehicle managed to force past the first checkpoint and the suicide bomber slammed his car into an inner gate of the police station, causing a large explosion."
Il Romanaccio at 10:44 AM