Somali police killed at least 15 insurgents when the group attacked the home of a district commissioner in Mogadishu, government officials said Friday.

The attack started at 5:30am local time in Mogadishu's Wadajir district when Islamist rebels attacked the home of the district's commissioner, Mr. Ahmed "Daai" Hassan.

A police official told Garowe Online that Mr. Daai's armed guards initially fought back against the attackers and were soon joined by police units based in Wadajir.

He said three police officers were wounded during the gunbattle.

"The attackers included al Shabaab and others. I saw 17 dead bodies and we collected their weapons," said Wadajir District Commissioner Ahmed Daai.

Witness Qadijo Omar said: "I saw 15 dead bodies and reporters were taking pictures."

Islamist rebels have not spoken publicly about today's failed attack on a government official's home, but a two-year insurgency has targeted numerous government officials, including assassinations and roadside bombings.

Somalia's interim government signed a peace deal with an opposition faction last month, which called for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces.

But Islamist hardliners have rejected the peace process and continue to wage attacks in Mogadishu, including the al Shabaab group, which is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. government.