KIRKUK/ Aswat al-Iraq: Police sources said here today that a joint force arrested 12 wanted or suspected persons west of Kirkuk.

The source told Aswat al-Iraq that the force sieved 5 mortar shells and C.D.s for the armed groups.

The arrest was made upon intelligence information, the source added.

On the other hand, a bicycle exploded targeting an army patrol, 45 km south west Kirkuk, but no human or material losses were reported.

 Kirkuk, center of the city, lies 280 km north east of the capital, Baghdad.

It is one of the disputed areas between Baghdad and Arbil that witnesses continued violent actions against the military and civilians, alike.