Somalia: Car bomb kills Senior Security Official in Galkayo

GALKAYO, Somalia - An enormous car bomb exploded in a street in central Galkayo city, the regional capital of Mudug province during rush hour on Wednesday, killing a member of Puntland Security forces, Garowe Online reports.

Witnesses and security sources confirmed to GO that Ali Ibrahim Ali [Ali Magafe], a senior State Police official dead after a bomb fitted into his vehicle went off near the city's administrative headquarters.

Late Ali was the head of Police department in Galkayo market. He sustained serious wounds in the blast resulted from an explosive device concealed under his car's seat, but, he was pronounced dead moments later on the spot.

Puntland forces sealed off the scene near the explosion site, and launched an investigation into the incident, but, no arrest was reported. Ali was on his way to the workplace at the time of the explosion.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the car bombing; however, government officials often blame Al Shabaab for such attacks in Galkayo, targeting security personnel and state officials.

Local authorities are yet to comment on Wednesday's blast which occurred at a time of heightened tension between rival clan militiamen hail from Puntland and Galmudug in the conflict-riddled city.

The incident is the latest in series of assassinations against government officials of Somalia's northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland in Galkayo.

A member of state Parliament member was killed in a similar car bomb in this year.

GAROWE ONLINE