Iraqi soldiers have arrested a wanted terrorist trying to sneak through a Baghdad checkpoint dressed as a bride, complete with a fake groom and witnesses, the defence ministry said.

The young terrorist was dressed in a white bridal gown with a veil over his face when soldiers became suspicious of the all male wedding group. When they raised the veil they found a man with scrubby facial hair underneath. Many radical Islamist fighters are forbidden from shaving, even for operational purposes.

With tens of thousands of extra American troops in the capital, and a growing number of local US-backed militias guarding neighbourhoods, terrorists have taken to using more elaborate disguises to move around. Three weeks ago, Iraqi security forces at a different Baghdad roadblock found two wanted men being transported in coffins.

Just north of Baghdad, however, a suicide bomber dressed as shepherd blew himself up yesterday at a police checkpoint after herding a flock of sheep toward the position. Nine policemen were killed in the blast in the volatile town of Baqubah.

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