15 killed, 80 injured in Najaf bombings

At least 15 people have been killed and 80 others injured in a series of bomb blasts in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, but Iraqi officials said that the number of casualties may rise as some injured are in critical conditions.

Three explosive devices were blown up in two different places of the sacred city on Thursday.

Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) went off at a crowded market place near the shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH), while a car bomb exploded near a mosque teemed with worshippers, sources said

The market placed was packed with people when the explosion took place and most of the casualties were women and children.

Security forces lined off the area. No group has so far claimed the responsibility for the deadly attacks. 

Iraq has been witnessing violence-related incidents nearly on a daily basis since the US-led invasion of the oil-rich country in March 2003.