Iraqi officials say a pair of bombs have exploded in the city of Tikrit, killing at least 12 people and wounding 28 others.

Authorities said said the first explosion was a car bomb that went off outside a bank where policemen were picking up their monthly paychecks. As people gathered at the site, officials say a suicide bomber set off the second blast.

The attack comes as the U.S. moves ahead with plans to remove its forces from Iraq by the end of the year. Both U.S. and Iraqi officials have expressed concern about Iraq's ability to cope with security after the pull-out.