Regional Police commander dies of wounds in blast in Jowhar

Middle Shabelle regional police commander, Khalif Abdulle Arfaye has succumbed to injuries he got during bomb explosion on Saturday night at police headquarters in Jowhar town.

Three police officers including Arfaye were injured after unidentified hurled bomb at the police station in Johwar which is 90 kilometers north of Mogadishu.

The trio was rushed to nearby hospital but after arriving at the town’s hospital, the commander succumbed to his injuries.

“Middle Shabelle regional commander, Khalif Abdulle Arfaye was pronounced dead last night at Jowhar hospital,” said Farah Mohamed, A police officer in Jowhar.

Other officials at police administration in Jowhar have also confirmed the death of Arfaaye, who had been critically injured in the bomb blast.

Reports said two unidentified men have attacked the police station with the hand grenade and immediately fled the scene before the arrival of the security forces.

Police authority is currently carrying out investigations to identify the culprits behind the attack.

Late Arfaaye who served years as the police commissioner for years, is expected to be laid to rest in his hometown in state funeral, officials said.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but officials blame Al-Shabaab for carrying out such attack.

Jowhar is an agricultural and strategic town situated north of the Somali capital Mogadishu, which was once under Al-Shabaab control.