Gunmen kill 5, including 1 by beheading, in central Iraqi village

Officials: Gunmen kill 5 Sunni Awakening members

BAGHDAD — Officials say gunmen have killed five Sunnis who were manning a security checkpoint in central Iraq.

A police official and a leader of the Sons of Iraq, a Sunni security force, said they saw the bodies — one of which was decapitated.

The Sons of Iraq, or Awakening Councils, are widely credited with helping turn the tide against al-Qaida. But the group has been targeted in revenge attacks.

Tuesday’s killings happened in Tal Massoud village, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Baghdad.

The police official and Sons of Iraq member Awad Sami al-Halbousi said the bodies were returned to their families for burial.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.