Two killed and three others in Landmine explosion at checkpoint outside Beledweyne

Two local militias have been killed and three others were injured remote-controlled land mine blast occurred at an checkpoint in a village near Somalia’s central town, Beledweyne.

Residents in Gambarlaawe village said the landmine was planted beneath the checkpoint

Eye witness in Gambarlaawe village who sought anonymity said they heard a huge explosion followed by heavy smoke.

“I was in a house located just few metres from the checkpoint when we suddenly heard a deafening noise from the road across. we later learned two local militias had been killed,” said the witness.

The witness added that Somali government troops cordoned off the area shortly after the blast, keeping people from gathering at the scene for fears that there might be a second blast.

The attack comes just days after two Ethiopian soldiers wounded in a roadside blast targeted AMISOM convoy in the outskirt Beledweyne town.

Despite being driven out of most of towns in the region , Al Shabaab fighters still carrying out attacks, including attacks on military bases, assassinations, burying landmines at  security checkpoints.