Mogadishu — A senior Somali government National Security official was shot and killed in Mogadishu, officials said on Saturday.

Col. Farhan Ahmed Ali died on the scene after sustaining several gunshots. The official was killed by unidentified gunmen armed with pistols who fled on foot after the shooting.

The commissioner of Bondhere District, Abdullahi Hassan Wardhere (Istakin) confirmed the death of the official.

On the other hand the commander of Burhakaba police station, Mohamed Haji was killed today by unidentified gunmen in Burhakaba 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Baidoa, the seat of the transitional Somali parliament.

Residents say the killers were three young men, and it is not clear why they have killed the official.

Islamic insurgents that control Burhakaba town conducted operations after the incident.

Numerous government officials have been assassinated in the country, since the Somali government soldiers backed by Ethiopian troops ousted the Islamic Courts Union that ruled much of south and central Somalia.