World Bulletin / News Desk

Iraqi forces on Saturday shot dead three suicide bombers during a security operation in northern Iraq, according to a military officer.

One bomber was killed before detonating his explosive belt inside a tunnel south of Tuz Khurmatu district in the Saladin province, Capt. Saad Mohamed said.

“Two bombers were also killed by security forces during combing operations in the same area,” he said.

According to Mohamed, Iraqi forces were searching all villages south of Tuz Khurmatu where ISIL militants are believed to be holed up.

The military operation comes after ISIL carried out a number of attacks against civilians and troops in the area, whose residents are a mix of Arabs, Turkmens and Kurds.

Late last year, officials in Baghdad declared that ISIL's military presence in Iraq had been all but destroyed.

It appears the notorious terrorist group, however, still maintains "sleeper cells" in certain parts of the country, including the northern Nineveh province.