Panel formed to investigate Diyala bombing

An Iraqi court has formed a panel to investigate the bombing that hit a busy outdoor market in Khan Bani Saad on Friday.

The explosion on the first day of the Lesser Bairam left 100 people dead and 150 others wounded.

The panel, chaired by chief justice of the appeals court in Diyala Jassem Mohamed Aboud, already inspected the site of the blast.

Aboud said that a police force tasked with protecting the area has been questioned. One of the troops admitted that he had allowed the booby-trapped car into the popular market after receiving threats from Daesh terrorist group.

Daesh has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Khan Bani Saad police chief was also questioned, Aboud said, noting that the man had received a cable days before the blast informing him about a car bombing.

A traffic expert already examined the car and was able to identify its owner, for whom an arrest warrant will be issued, Aboud further said.