Bat-ha suicide bomber is an Arab – police sources

THI QAR / IraqiNews.com: The suicide bomber in Nassiriya-Bat-ha highway was of an Arab nationality who was brought from outside the province, Commander of Thi Qar police disclosed here today. Staff General Sabah al-Fatlawi told IraqiNews.com that the suicidal bomber was brought along Baghdad-Nassiriya highway. Precautionary measures, including thorough search of every one coming from Baghdad or Basrah shall be conducted, Fatlawi added. He said that the provincial council promised to finance buying explosive detection equipment with a cost of 2.65 million dollars, which will help controlling the intrusion of terrorists into the province. A suicide bomber with 40 kg of TNT and iron pieces exploded himself.near Bat-ha check point , 25 km north west Nassiriya last Thursday. The explosion was directed against Iraqi pilgrims heading to Kerbela province, which led to killing about 50 persons and wounding 80 more. Nassiriya, center of Thi Qar province, lies 365 km south of the capital, Baghdad.