​Somalia:Second Policeman shot dead in the capital Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia- A witness says suspected Al Shabaab assassins armed with pistols have shot and killed a Somali policeman in Mogadishu on Thursday evening, Garowe Online reports.

Sources said that the Police officer was accosted by two attackers who drew their pistols, shot him at close range near his house in Mogadishu's Dharkenley district.

The slain police officer was identified as Bashir Mohamed Mohamud, added the source.

The gunmen fled the crime scene before the arrival of the security forces who later cordoned off the area, and carried out probe into the incident, the latest in series of targeted killings in Mogadishu.

Early in the day, a soldier serving with Somali Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) was shot dead in Hodon district, Police says he was shot at Bakaro market.

Last night, gunmen thought to be Al Shabaab members have shot dead a local a district official and an elder in Mogadishu in Elasha Biyaha area, however, no group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest assassinations.

Mogadishu is witnessing an increase of targeted killings on elders and security forces in the past weeks. The group vowed to step up its attacks against the new Somali administration led by new President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo who was elected last month.

GAROWEONLINE