Garowe (SD) Puntland security forces on a special operation in the village of Marajo and mountainous areas under the Booje and Habar- hagoogane, arrested Al-Shabaab members.

Officials leading the operation said the arrested members included a senior al-Shabaab official, and that the members were planting landmines on roads in Bari region.

The commander of the forces who carried out the operation said that the arrested members planted landmines on the road that connects Bali-khadar, Karin and other areas, where Puntland forces were targeted several times.

Puntland PSF officials say they have seized explosives materials used by Al-Shabaab, and prevented attacks they intended to carry out.

Al Shabaab has not commented on the arrests of the militants and their unnamed leader, according to the military.

Puntland security forces have been searching for the group in recent weeks in mountainous areas of the eastern part of the regional administration.