UPDATE: Six civilians and one suicide bomber killed, Puntland deputy governor in Mudug says

Six civilians and a suicide bomber were killed and eight wounded in a bomb explosion in front of Unlaay Hotel in northern Galkacyo, Puntland deputy governor for Mudug region Ahmed Muse Noor has told Goobjoog News.

Noor said the eight wounded have been rushed to various hospitals in the town and police are conducting investigations into the incident.

“I can now confirm that six people including one suicide bomber were killed in this morning explosion which happened in front of Unlaay hotel in the former Dervish military station,” said Ahmed.

Gooobjoog News correspondent in the town said earlier those killed included a chief finance officer of Mudug region Said Ali Yusuf and former Galmugud state information minister Hassan Rush.

Meanwhile the militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibity for the attack.

The incident comes barely a week after Galmudug state said it had killed over 115 Al-Shabaab militants and captured over 100 others in a three day clash. The militants were reported to have fled from Puntland region following a week long fighting which Puntland said it killed over 150 Al-Shabaab fighters and captured another 30.