One officer, one policeman wounded in drug raid shootout in Diwaniyah

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An army officer and a police officer were wounded in a shootout during a drug raid in Diwaniyah, Iraq's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry's spokesperson, Mohammed Ali al-Hasun, said an operation was launched by a team under the Directorate for Combating Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances to arrest a fugitive wanted on drug charges. The clash occurred while the team, supervised by the directorate's chief and several officers, attempted to apprehend the suspect, according to a written statement carried by the ministry. A colonel and a police officer were wounded during the exchange of fire, al-Hasun said. The ministry said the team continued its operation despite the injuries, detained the suspect and seized narcotics. The suspect has been referred to the relevant authorities for legal proceedings, while the wounded officer and police officer received medical treatment, according to the statement.