Baghdad, Sep 21 (Xinhua) Iraqi authorities detained 52 Al Qaeda members Monday, a police source said.

The source told reporters that the Al Qaeda members detained in the town of Jurf al-Sakhar, about 30 km south of Baghdad, were behind a series of terrorist attacks against Iraqi security forces as well as civilian targets.

The source added that government forces have discovered a large arms and ammunition depot in the same town, including several bombs and ammunition.

Iraqi security forces have been taking strict measures to curb violence and ensure the stability of the war-torn country, while sporadic attacks continue in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities and towns after US forces' pullout June 30.