Seventeen of the 50 kidnapped released in Baghdad

BAGHDAD: Seventeen of the 50 people kidnapped two days ago from a Baghdad street by gunmen have been released, many showing signs of torture, police and defence officials said on Wednesday.

Police originally came across eight victims wandering aimlessly together late at night on Canal street, the major north-south highway in east Baghdad, with signs of torture on their bodies.

Police patrols were then alerted to search for others and another seven were found singly throughout the area, three of whom had bullet wounds in their legs.

Al Kindi hospital confirmed that 13 people had been brought in by police for treatment and showing signs of torture.

In a separate statement, the defence ministry confirmed the release of two others.

On Monday at least 50 people were snatched in a raid in broad daylight by armed gunmen dressed in commando uniforms on central Baghdad's Salhiya street where several travel agencies are located.

The massive operation involved about a dozen trucks, including two painted in distinctive commando camouflage style.

Iraq's interior ministry on Tuesday announced an internal inquiry into the dramatic kidnapping operation, which initially was believed to be an official raid by the ministry's security forces.