3 killed in twin grenade attack in southern Somalia

Three people were killed in hand grenade attacks on a restaurant Sunday evening in southern Somalia, police confirmed on Monday.

Police in Kismayo town, the headquarters of Southern state of Jubaland told Xinhua that the attackers hurled two hand grenades at a restaurant in the town killing three people and wounded seven others.

"Some assailants threw hand grenades twice killing three people and wounded seven others. The police reached the area and cordoned off for investigation," police officer Mohamed Ali told Xinhua.

Sources said the militants were targeting government soldiers who were inside the restaurant where the troops were busy eating super.

Witnesses said the hand grenades were hurled by unidentified group who disappeared after the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks but the militant group Al-Shabaab has in the past carried out such attacks.

The attack follows a recent bomb explosion in the capital Mogadishu which claimed about 29 lives.

The AU mission said its troops and Somalia National Army (SNA) will continue to register huge success against Al-Shabaab militants who have stepped up their offensive against the Western-backed government, by ensuring that they pacify the country. Endit