(KUNA) -- An Iraqi Traffic police officer was shot dead Saturday by a group of unidentified gunmen in Kirkuk city northern Iraq, Said a security source. The source told KUNA the Policeman was on duty in midtown Kirkuk where he was shot dead by the gunmen.Meanwhile, a bomb exploded near the traffic police department in the middle of the city without causing any serious damage. A statement by the police said that radical religious group have planted the bomb in step to get rid of police forces. A statement was distributed by the radicals threatened to eliminate anyone who cooperates with the police. The traffic department in Kirkuk played a huge part in keeping peace and security in northern Iraqi region.