BAGHDAD - The number of Iraqis killed rose sharply in October, making it the first month since January in which the toll was higher than the same period a year ago, official figures showed on Tuesday.

A total of 258 Iraqis — 161 civilians, 55 policemen and 42 soldiers — were killed in attacks in October, according to data compiled by the ministries of interior, defence and health.

A further 438 were wounded — 195 civilians, 142 policemen and 101 soldiers. The figures also showed 85 insurgents were killed in October.

The overall death toll for October represented an increase of roughly 39 percent from September, when 185 Iraqis were killed.

It was also markedly higher than in October 2010, when 185 Iraqis were killed, making it the first month since January in which the death toll was higher than the corresponding month the year before.

The tolls for the months of February through September 2011 were lower than the same months in 2010.

October’s deadliest attack saw at least 32 people killed and 71 wounded in twin roadside bomb blasts in the Urr neighbourhood of Baghdad on October 27.

On October 13, 18 people were killed and at least 43 wounded in twin blasts in the Sadr City area of Baghdad.

And a spate of attacks in the capital mainly targeting security forces, including two suicide car bombs minutes apart against police stations, killed 23 people and wounded more than 70 on October 12.

Tuesday’s figures come with just two months to go before all US troops are to leave country. US President Barack Obama announced on October 21 that all US forces would depart Iraq by year’s end.