An Iraqi police official has declared that a bomber dressed in a police uniform has killed several US soldiers and Iraqi police officials.

The man blew up his explosive vest among US and Iraqi security members who were conducting foot patrol in the Tapo Street in central Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

Lieutenant Colonel Hameed al-Shimari, who heads an emergency police unit in Baquba, said four Iraqi police officials have been killed in the attack at a checkpoint near the Baquba municipality.

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He said that a number of the US soldiers were killed in the attack, Reuters reported.

The US military could not be immediately reached for confirmation.

Al-Shimari said that seven civilians were also wounded in the attack.