MOGADISHU, May 23 (Xinhua) -- At least three people including a soldier were killed in a blast on Tuesday in Bosasoin in Somalia's Puntland, police have said.
Police told Xinhua a suicide bomber blew himself up at a check point near a hotel Tuesday evening, causing the casualties.
"So far three people have been confirmed dead in the attack. One of them is a soldier. The suicide bomber blew himself up at a junction near Juba hotel," said Abdirizak Ibrahim, a police officer in the area, noting they are already conducting investigations.
A resident said the blast went off shortly after the Muslim Maqrib prayers in the evening and could be head from a distance.
"We heard a huge blast after the Maqrib prayer. Some people have been killed," a resident Aamino Mohamed said.
A group affiliated to the Islamic State in Somalia has claimed responsibility for the attack, a first after the group came under heavy attacks late last year from Puntland forces and a further purge by Al-Shabaab leadership.