In Iraq, 47 persons were killed and over 100 injured in a series of powerful car bomb explosions and gun fighting in Baghdad and the central city of Hilla this morning.

Police sources said , 18 people were killed and 40 others were injured in the blast near a police checkpoint in Baghdad the targets were Shi'ite pilgrims who had gathered in the Iraqi capital to mark the anniversary of the death of Shi'ite imam Moussa al-Kadhim, great-grandson of Prophet Mohammad.

In the another incident , 29 people were killed and scores were left injured in the central town of Hilla in a series of powerful bomb explosions and gun fighting .

Two more blasts have been reported central town of Hilla in a series of powerful bomb explosions and gun fighting.

Two more blasts have been reported in the Shiite city of Blast.Details are awaited.