JOWHAR- Four civilians have been killed after a landmine explosion planted by suspected Al-Shabaab hit their auto-rickshaw vehicle on Monday in Jowhar town in Middle Shabelle region, Somalia.

Jowhar Police Commissioner Bashir Hassan Halfooy told journalists that all those who perished in the explosion were civilians who were riding in the village of Haansholey which is approximately 7 km from Jowhar, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State Jowhar city and according to locals in the area the four victims were butchery traders .

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but al-Shabaab militants often carry out attacks on government officials, African Union forces and civilians who they believe work with the regional government in Jowhar and its vicinity.

In recent weeks, Somalia has been rocked with series of bomb blasts which has claimed the lives of scores of people and wounded several others as the country continues with Parliamentary elections.