Two police officers killed in Somali capital explosion

At least two police officers were killed and two others injured in a bomb explosion at a checkpoint in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday.

Local government spokesman Abdifitah Omar Halane said the incident was caused by an explosive device planted near the checkpoint manned by traffic police officers.

"We think the blast was a landmine which terrorists planted near the checkpoint mid last night," Halane told journalists, adding that an investigation is underway.

No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack, but militant from Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab militants frequently carry out attacks on government and civilian targets in the country.

Troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia are conducting security operations in Benadir region, where Mogadishu is located, ahead of presidential election slated for Nov. 30. Endit