GALKAYO, Puntland - Al Shabaab said it has killed a senior Puntland security official in the volatile Galkayo city, the regional capital of Mudug province on Tuesday evening, Garowe Online reports.

A witness told GO that unknown assailants armed with pistols have assassinated Mohamed Aden Yusuf Qaley on his way back to home after returning Inji military base.

Late Qaley who was Puntland's Darwish force's weapons reserve commander in Galkayo. He was shot in the head and chest several times and died on the spot.

The killers, Al Shabaab assassins immediately escaped the scene before the arrival of Police authorities who launched an investigation and a manhunt mission, but, no arrest was reported.

However, the reason behind the murder of the security official is unclear as the militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which was the latest in series of targeted killings in the divided town.

GAROWE ONLINE