Private security convoy kills two Iraqi women, sources say

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Gunfire from a private security convoy on Tuesday killed two Iraqi women traveling in a car in Baghdad, Interior Ministry sources told CNN.

Although the name of the security firm was not yet released, one of the ministry officials described it as a "western private security company." The incident comes during a period of intense scrutiny over the activities of private security contractors such as Blackwater USA.

Brig. Gen Abdul Karim Khalaf, Interior Ministry spokesman, said the incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. Another Interior official said it occurred near the former German Embassy building in the Karrada district in central Baghdad around 2:30 p.m. The embassy is now housed elsewhere in the capital.

Khalaf said the two victims were Christians. He told CNN that 19 bullets hit the vehicle in which the women were traveling.

The other official said they were in an Oldsmobile. Both sources said the detail consisted of four white 4x4 vehicles......