9 killed, including 7 police officers in Iraq violence

---

BAGHDAD, OCT 17 (AP): A roadside bomb exploded near a police patrol early Wednesday, killing at least seven officers, according to police.
The blast went off about 2 a.m. on the road to Affak, which is about 30 km (20 miles) east of Diwaniyah, said the police officer. Diwaniyah, about 130 kilometres south of Baghdad.
A three-vehicle patrol carrying additional officers was sent to Affak to fight guerillas and that convoy was hit by the bomb.
One vehicle was destroyed and the dead included the commander of the backup patrol, police said. About 6:30 a.m., a bomb exploded near a residential building in Zaafaraniyah.