At least 15 people have been killed and 35 wounded after a female suicide bomber blew herself up among policemen north of Baghdad, Iraqi police and hospital forces have said.

The attack took place in Baquba, the capital of Diyala, a multi-ethnic province where there have been a succession of offensives against al Qaeda fighters.

Police and hospital sources said eight of those killed in the attack outside a court house in Baquba, 65 km north of Baghdad, were policemen.

Police officials said the woman walked over to a group of policemen as they ate lunch at an outdoor restaurant and then detonated explosives under her clothing.

Several cars were also set ablaze.

A number of female suicide bombers have carried out attacks in the past six months, mainly in Diyala, that police have been blamed on al Qaeda.

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