Somalia: Suicide Bomber Targets Puntland Deputy Police Chief

Galkayo — A suicide car bomb attack targeting Deputy Police Chief Gen. Muhyadin Ahmed Musse near the central Galkayo station occurred Monday morning, Garowe Online reports.

According to eyewitnesses, a sedan packed full of explosives rammed a convoy carrying the deputy police chief on Sunday outside the central police station in Galkayo.

Gen. Muhyadin survived the car bomb attack however unconfirmed reports say that many police and people were injured in the blast.

GO has confirmed that at least 3 police officers were injured in the Monday morning blast.

Authorities have closed off the scene of the blast and are conducting investigations as the injured are being treated at nearby hospitals.

One witness told GO, that the blast could be heard from distance and that many civilians were injured in the attack.

“I was 5 blocks away when the blast happened and I rushed to the scene where I saw many injured civilians,” said Jibril Abdihakim.

This is the first attack in Galkayo in many months following a Puntland government initiative to improve security in the administrative capital of Mudug region.

More information will be posted on the suicide blast in Galkayo in the following hours.