(KUNA) -- The Iraqi police said Saturday they killed 53 terrorists and captured 16 others in southern Baghdad. Brigadier Abdulkareem Khalaf, a spokesman of the interior ministry, said the police forces attacked a group of terrorists in Tuwaitha area. Forces of the second brigades of the national police force besieged the terrorists and clashed with them for five hours. The Iraqi forces killed 53 terrorists and arrested 16 others during the operations, as well as seizing large quantities of weapons and explosives, added Khalaf.The Iraqi government has tightened security measures a day before a special court is to announce the verdict against Saddam Hussein and seven of his henchmen on the case of Dujail.