LONDON: Several Iraqi security officials and pro-government Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi fighters were killed and injured on Saturday, southwest of Kirkuk. 

A security source said at least eight casualties were reported in the attack affiliated with Daesh extremists, according to Alsumaria News.  

The source said “Daesh militants attacked a checkpoint manned by Iraqi police and the Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi (also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces) near Saadouniyah, 35 kilometers southwest of Kirkuk, killing four security officials, two Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi members and wounding two others.”

Daesh had threatened to attack polling stations before the country's first elections since the rise of the terrorist group.

The oil-rich city of Kirkuk is one of Iraq’s most diverse cities, home to Iraqi Arabs, Turkmen, Christians and Kurds.