Blast injures official in S. Somalia: military

A senior official in Gedo region, southern Somalia, was injured in a roadside landmine, military officials said Sunday.

Yasiin Hiirey, military commander in Gedo region told Xinhua that Deputy Commissioner of the region Mohamed Hussein's car was hit by roadside bomb while travelling in Bardera town to attend a meeting.

"The deputy commissioner and his bodyguard were seriously wounded while heading to a meeting," he said.

An eye witness told Xinhua that huge blast targeted a car belong to the top government official.

"We heard heavy blast this morning in the town of Bardera. Government forces blocked the road leading to the site," said local resident Said Abdullahi.

The Bardera town of Gedo region, which was captured by Somalia troops and AU Mission to Somalia in July last year, has, however, witnessed occasional attacks carried out by Somali militant group Al-Shabaab. Endit