MOGADISHU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least one soldier was killed and another injured in a deadly car bomb explosion at a security checkpoint, about 18 km northwest of Mogadishu early Saturday, officials said.
A police officer near the scene Abdikarin Farah told Xinhua that the car loaded with explosive devices went off as intelligence officers tried to stop it at Sinka-Dheer Junction, killing the Somali soldier.
The police officer said the situation has however been contained and police were conducting investigations to establish the motive behind the explosion which comes as elections are ongoing in the Horn of Africa nation.
An eye witness told Xinhua there was a huge explosion at the check point immediately he passed by.
"I was just passing by that road moments ago when I heard a huge explosion then a huge smoke could be seen billowing from the scene," Muhidin Sheikh said.
The militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility.
The latest incident comes as the local security forces have stepped up security to ensure that the ongoing elections which the militants have vowed to disrupt are concluded successfully.
