GAROWE, Somalia Oct 13 (Garowe Online) - A decree dated October 3 and issued from the office of the President of Puntland, a federal state in Somalia, officially terminated the region' s deputy police commissioner.

Acting police chief Mohamed Haji Aden, who was appointed to the post in May, has been active along Somalia's coast where pirate gangs are holding hostage several ships and foreign crewpersons.

Puntland President Mohamud "Adde" Muse cited a constitutional clause on presidential powers to dismiss Mr. Haji Aden from the police leadership position.

Gen. Gani Mohamed Abdi, Puntland's police boss, was wounded in a failed assassination attempt last month. He is reportedly recovering at a hospital in neighboring Djibouti.

The Puntland leader did not appoint a new deputy to lead police operations.

Source: Garowe Online