A car bomb attack in Somalia’s central region of Galkayo has claimed the lives of at least five people, including the attacker, police say.

The bombing was carried out on Monday, when a bomber blew himself up in his car to target a senior police officer in the border region.

“There are at least five people dead, including the bomber,” said police officer Mohamed Abdullahi.

Security sources say a senior police official from the northern breakaway state of Puntland was injured in the blast.


No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Galkayo is located on the border between Puntland and the self-proclaimed region of Galmudug.

The bomb attack was the latest in a string of attacks in the region, where tensions are high between rival political and clan groups.

In August 2012, the Federal Government of Somalia took over from the embattled Transitional Federal Government, which had failed to patch up warring armed groups and restore peace despite support from African and Western governments.