Iraqis head to polls in historic election as blasts kill 15 across the country

15 die as Iraqis defy violence to vote

BAGHDAD — Police and hospital officials say at least 11 people were killed in northeastern Baghdad after a mortar attack leveled a building, bringing the death toll to 15 as Iraqis go to vote in historic elections.

Officials said the dead included four children, when two mortar shells landed in northeastern Baghdad flattening a two story building.

An Associated Press photographer on the scene described rescuers pulling bodies from the rubble, but police prevented anyone from filming or taking pictures.

Insurgents have vowed to disrupt the polls with violence, and started the day with a volley of mortar attacks across the city.

In the mostly Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah, authorities said about 20 mortar attacks had fallen since day break.