MOGADISHU, Somalia - Suspected Al-Shabab militant detonated a car bomb near local government offices in Somalia’s capital city, Mogadishu on Sunday morning, killing at least 6 people, Garowe Online reports.

The bomber exploded his explosives-filled vehicle at the gate of the headquarters of Howlwadag district, security sources said, ripping through parts of the building and nearby structures, including school and shops, setting cars aflame.

Three soldiers were among those killed in the assault as many as 14 other people, mostly children were wounded and admitted to the hospitals in Mogadishu for treatment.

Several people, including school children and the deputy commissioner of the district on security and political affairs, according to Capt Mohamed Abdi, a Somali police officer, who spoke to Garowe Online by phone.

The car bomb went off while the security forces fending off it to pass through the entrance of the administrative compound which lies near the busy Bakara market.

The deafening explosion sent a large white plume of smoke into the air, said Abdi.

The Al Qaida-affiliated extremist group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack as part of its car bombings in the seaside Horn of Africa capital.

Sunday's attack at the local government administration office comes amidst tight security and heavy police presence in the city's main streets.

GAROWE ONLINE