Urgent: Senior Somali security officer killed, 3 others injured in explosion

A senior Somali security official was killed and three others were injured in an explosion in the restive capital Mogadishu on Thursday, officials said.

Spokesman of the local government in Mogadishu Abdifitah Omar Halane said the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-trained military officer was killed after a bomb which was fitted in his car exploded in Shibis district in Mogadishu.

"It was a car bomb blast that targeted the security official, the official died on the spot and three other soldiers were wounded in the blast," Halane said.

He said security officers have launched investigations in the latest incident which no group has claimed responsibility. "The security forces are pursuing the attackers," Halane said.

The car blast occurred at a busy street at Mano-Bolyo junction in Mogadishu's Shibis district on Thursday noon. However, the police suspect that the militant group is behind the attack.

Independent sources say the official and the three other soldiers were working for UAE Embassy in Mogadishu.

Somali security troops and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops have stepped up security across the Horn of Africa nation as the country prepares to elect the presidential and speakers of both Houses next week. Endit