Iraqi forces stormed a police headquarters taken over by armed insurgents in western Iraq yesterday, ending a two-hour siege in which a town’s police chief and four others were killed.

Gunmen disguised in police uniforms set off at least two explosions in mid-morning before overruning the Al-Baghdadi police headquarters in a compound that also houses the office of the town’s mayor, officials said.

They seized 15 hostages, including the top police officer and the mayor.

Iraqi security forces finally overcame the insurgents more than two hours later, and found police chief Lieutenant Colonel Sadiq al-Obeidi and four others dead.

“Four security forces, including the chief of police and a civilian, were killed during the operation,” said defence ministry spokesman Major General Mohammed al-Askari.

“The 15 hostages, including the mayor, are free now and they are in good condition,” he said.