9 Jan 2012 01:23 PM EST

-by Alex Mangini, Staff Writer: Image: Baghdad car bombs (Image Source: Alarabiya)

According to local officials, a pair of car bombs in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad has left at least 14 people dead, reports the BBC.

The explosives were detonated in the northern Shaab district of the city and in a further western area and targeted religious pilgrims.

The Washington Post says the attacks appeared to be aimed at police officers as well as Shiite pilgrims making their way to the holy city of Karbala.

A total of 52 people have been reported injured.

All Iraqi officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they “were not authorized to release the information to reporters,” the Post said.