iraq shrine attack: IS kills dozens in Balad

Suicide bombers and gunmen have killedat least 35people in an attack by so-called Islamic State (IS) at a Shia shrine in the Iraqi town of Balad.At least one bomber blew himself upoutside the mausoleum of SayidMohammed bin Ali al-Hadi, which was then stormed by gunmen, reports say.Another bomber is said to have blown himself upamong fleeing worshippers.Meanwhile the death toll from Sunday's suicide bombing in Baghdad has again been raised, from 281 to 292.Amid growing public anger over the truck bombing, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi fired the three top security officials inBaghdad on Friday.They werethe head of Baghdad's security command, the head of interior ministry intelligence for Baghdad and the official responsible for Baghdad in the national security adviser's office.IS said five of its members had carried out the raid on thesite in Balad. The militant group follows anextreme form of Sunni Islam and often targets Shias, who it regards as apostates.About 50 people were injured in the attack,police andmedical sources said.