MOGADISHU, July 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and 17 others injured in twin blasts in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Saturday, police said.
The first blast took place when a suicide car bomb was detonated outside a building housing the interior and security ministry. The second hit near a police checkpoint adjacent to the presidential palace.
Police officer who did not want to be named told Xinhua by phone that the militants involved in the attack on the building were overpowered by the security forces.
"The attack begun after a car bomb exploded outside of the building but now the security forces have managed to contain the attack and killed all the assailants. We can confirm that at least 12 people were killed in the attack," the officer said.
The headquarters of the security and interior ministry is located in fortified areas and also close to the presidential palace and the parliament building.
Abdikadir Abdurrahman, director of Amin Ambulance, told Xinhua that they have transported 17 injured people to the hospital.
Witnesses reported the attack and said they heard huge blasts followed by gunfire at the area.
"I have seen huge plume of smoke rising above the site of the explosion and after minutes other one followed. Security forces cordoned off the area," an eye witness, Osman Shuke, told Xinhua.
Al-Shabab terror group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack that comes despite increased military operations against the militant group across the Horn of Africa nation.
