Somali policeman shifts through debris after a blast occurred at a government tax collection point near Kaaraan district, north of Mogadishu June 30, 2014.FEISAL OMAR/Reuters
A Somali police official says two people have been killed after a land mine exploded at a business centre in the northern outskirts of the capital, Mogadishu.
Col. Ali Hassan said the land mine was detonated by remote control, killing one soldier and a civilian woman on Monday. He offered no more details about the blast, which tore roofs off shops and destroyed business stalls.
After the explosion, government soldiers fired into the air to disperse potential looters who surged toward the damaged shops.
No group immediately claimed responsibility, although the Islamic militants of al-Shabab have vowed to step up attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The latest attack comes a day after suspected militants killed three soldiers in Mogadishu.