GALKAYO, Somalia Feb 11 2013 (Garowe Online) – A suicide bomber attempted to assassinate Deputy Police Chief Gen. Muhyadin Ahmed Musse in car bomb attack in Galkayo Monday morning, only the bomber died in the blast, Garowe Online reports.

According to a Puntland press release, 27 civilians were injured in the blast and 3 police officers also sustained injuries in the blast.

Deputy Police Chief Gen. Muhyadin Ahmed Musse

Gen. Muhyadin only received minor injuries from blast that targeted his convoy which was parked in front of the central police station in Galkayo.

Eyewitnesses told GO, that a sedan packed full of explosives rammed the convoy of the deputy police chief on outside the central police station in Galkayo.  

Authorities confirmed the eyewitness testimony, and stated that the suicide bomber missed his target and hit a technical vehicle causing both vehicles to explode injuring many bystanders and ripping the bombers’ body into pieces.

One witness told GO, that the blast could be heard from distance and that many civilians were injured in the attack.

 “I was 5 blocks away when the blast happened and I rushed to the scene where I saw many injured civilians, it was a gruesome scene” said Jibril Abdihakim.

The injured are being treated at hospitals with only 15 of the 27 were admitted for overnight stay.

Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack on Monday.

Puntland authorities stated that they will not stop there fight against Al Shabaab operating in Puntland.

GAROWE ONLINE