Diwaniyah: Interior Ministry said on Saturday that an officer and a policeman were wounded in an armed clash with a wanted suspect in Diwaniyah province, adding that the suspect was arrested with drugs in his possession.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Interior Ministry spokesman Colonel Mohammed Ali Al-Hassoun stated that a force from the Directorate for Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, under the supervision of the director and a number of officers and personnel, arrested a suspect wanted in drug-related cases.

The operation followed security monitoring and efforts that led to an armed clash with the suspect, during which a lieutenant colonel and a policeman were wounded while carrying out their duties, Al-Hassoun said.

Despite their injuries, the anti-narcotics personnel continued their operation, brought the situation under control, arrested the suspect and seized a quantity of drugs in his possession, he added.

Legal procedures were taken against the suspect before he was referred to the competent authorities, while the wounded officer and policeman were receiving medical treatment, Al-Hassoun said.