Heavily armed security forces from Somalia's northern stable state of Puntland have clashed with militia loyal to a militant group near Bossaso, the region's commercial capital, Radio Garowe reports.

Reports said the militia attacked Puntland forces in Karin, some 40 km from Bossaso, leading to heavy exchange of gun fire.

Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole says the security forces killed 10 militant fighters and captured one of the commanders, appealing for the Puntland people to defend the state.

"We have repulsed them, captured and killed many of them. Jamaa Ismail Duale who is a well known militant, is among those we captured," he said.

"I am appealing to Puntland people that they should prepare to defend the state from the invaders," he continued.

He urged the word to help his government defeat the terrorist group, arguing that the militants are not ready for peace to prevail anywhere in the region.

"We are telling the international community and particularly the neighbouring that Puntland is under attack from both local and foreign Islamist militants," he warned.

The security forces have also mounted a large operations near Galgala mountain. It was the first time for Puntland's forces to go after the militant group in their hideout.

The Galgala militants are led by Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom, who is on the U.S. wanted list signed by President Obama.

Puntland have been warning of imminent dangers posed by people believed to have links with the radical militants fighting the UN-backed government in south central Somalia, according to government officials.

Puntland, located at the northeastern tip of Somalia with shores along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, has been a stable region since the outbreak of the Somali civil war in 1991.

GAROWE ONLINE