Somalia: Puntland Police foil bomb attack at bus station in Bosaso

BOSASO, Puntland - A powerful explosion was heard across the port city of Bosaso in Somalia's northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland on Monday afternoon, Garowe Online reports.

The blast which resulted from an improvised explosive device (IED) occurred at a busy bus station in the city. The Police had prior information of the bomb hidden in a small container, before it exploded prematurely.

According to the witnesses, who spoke to GO over the phone from Bosaso said, the bomb disposal units had earlier been called to the scene after police said potentially suspicious item was found.

Meanwhile, Bari regional Police forces have cordoned off the scene, and urged the public to avoid the area, after discovering a 'suspicious package' at the bus station. No casualties has been reported.

A security official, told GO that they had succeeded to foil the attack, aimed to kill the civilians. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the botched blast in Puntland's commercial hub, Bosaso.

The incident comes as Puntland President, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas" is in the city. The security has been tightened, as an investigation is underway, to find out the masterminds of the explosion.

The Al Qaeda and Islamic State linked militant groups frequently use Improvised Explosive Device (IED) as the weapon of their choice to target the regional security forces or government officials in Bosaso.

GAROWEONLINE