Gunmen killed the three drivers early today at their checkpoint on a road in central Iraq. The gunmen stopped the trucks in a remote area in Diyala province and then executed the drivers, a security official said.
Deadly attacks have been on the rise, reaching levels not seen since 2008. The surge in bloodshed, following months of protests by the country's Sunni Arab minority against the Shiite-led government, is raising fears that Iraq is heading for another bout of uncontrollable sectarian violence.
No one claimed responsibility for the attacks, but security forces are a favourite target for Sunni insurgents.
Medical officials confirmed the death toll from the attacks. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to talk to reporters.
Today's renewed violence came a day after a string of deadly attacks in several Iraqi cities, including Mosul, killed at least 63 people.