Iraq Bombings Rattle Muslim Holy City on Election Eve

At least three people were killed and dozens more wounded in Iraq Saturday as a car bomb went off near buses carrying pilgrims in the holy city of Najaf -- an outbreak of violence coming on the eve of parliamentary elections.

The bomb exploded near the Safi al-Safa shrine, gutting two buses and injuring 54, including a number of Iranians, the Washington Post said, citing security and health officials. Iranian pilgrims were also said to be among the dead.

"We think it is a political targeting of Najaf province..." the Post quoted Adnan al-Zurfi, governor of the southern province, as saying. "This targeting aims to scare people."

Iraqi security officers were on alert hoping to stop violence meant to intimidate prospective voters in advance of balloting on Sunday.