The governor of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and two of his bodyguards were killed Wednesday as his convey was hit by insurgents Wednesday.

The attackers threw a grenade at the vehicle carrying Gov.Youssef Kashmola and fired automatic weapons at it about 100 kmsouth of Mosul, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

"He was on his way to Baghdad with a security escort of fourcars, when the attackers in another car pulled up beside his vehicle and threw a grenade, and then shot at his car," said the official.

The four assailants were also shot dead in an exchange of fire,he added.

The attack came one day after Sabir Karim, director-general ofthe Industry Ministry was shot dead by a silenced weapon as he lef this Baghdad home Tuesday.

Iraqi officials have been frequently targeted by insurgents who consider them as US collaborators.

Source:Xinhua