IS physically-challenged member, two women kill policeman west of Mosul

Mosul (Iraqinews.com) A policeman was killed on Tuesday as a physically-challenged member and two women belonging to the Islamic State (IS) attacked a check point, Shafaaq News reported.

IS element attacked a check point in western Mosul along with two women, prompting police to open fire and kill the gunman, who was revealed later to be a disabled member.

The two women were arrested. A pistol and fake ID card were in possession of one of them. They were later handed over to the intelligence of the 9th brigade, the source added.

The Iraqi government declared victory over Islamic State militants in western Mosul earlier this month, saying it concluded more than eight months of battles to recapture the city which the militants held as the capital of their self-styled “caliphate” since 2014. The eastern side of the city was retaken late January.

Following the declaration of victory, Iraqi forces have been in efforts to comb the recaptured areas for remnant IS cells, countering occasional attacks by the group and arresting many hiding among civilian refugees.

IS lost more than 250.000 fighters in the Mosul campaign, according to Iraqi commanders.

The group still holds a few holdouts in Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Anbar, all the targets for future offensives by the Iraqi forces, the U.S.-led coalition and pro-government paramilitary troops.