MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least five Somali soldiers were wounded on Sunday morning when their military vehicle hit a landmine in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

A witness confirmed to GO that a pick-up truck carrying military personnel was blown up after it was ripped through by a remote-controlled explosive device [IED] planted near the city's southern main Ex-control Afgoye.

According to witnesses, five government soldiers were wounded in the attack and were taken to a local hospital.

Security officials say a roadside bomb planted by Islamic militants struck a speeding pick-up left Hanta-Dheer area in Deynile district and heading to Ex-control, the main entrance to the capital early in the morning.

The incident was the latest of several mine blasts in Mogadishu in the past few days amidst tight security measures and heavy presence of Police and Intelligence officers on the key streets.

Somali security forces backed by AU peacekeepers have been battling militants in the country's south and central regions for years, but the insurgents are still capable of carrying out deadly attacks and car bombs in the capital.

GAROWE ONLINE