"Two suicide bombers attacked the police station in the Qabr al-Binat area in (western) Mosul about 7:00 am (0400 GMT). They targeted and killed Lieutenant Colonel Shamil Ahmed Oglaq," police said.

A police officer said Oglaq was likely targeted because he commanded an operation against al Qaeda members in western Mosul last week, al Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate, was killed.

The attack comes two days after twin bombings in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi killed nine people, including four policemen, and wounded 49, among them five women and four children.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who was approved by parliament for a second term in office along with a national unity cabinet on December 21, has cited security as one of his top three priorities.

But 10 ministries, including those responsible for security, which are controlled by Maliki in the interim, still only have acting heads.

While violence has dropped dramatically across Iraq since its peak in 2006 and 2007, attacks remain common, especially in the capital and the main northern city of Mosul.