The speaker of Somalia's Puntland state parliament has escaped a landmine blast targeted on his vehicle in the administrative capital of Garowe, eyewitnesses said.

The speaker was on his way to his house when the remote-controlled landmine went off, killing one of his security guards and injuring his colleague, witnesses told Garowe Online.

Shortly after the explosion, several security forces reached the scene and conducted operations, chasing away by-standers.

Police have launched investigation into the incident, which becomes one of the exceptional insecurity that has engulfed the peaceful town.

Puntland, which declared itself as an autonomous part of Somalia in 1998, has enjoyed relative peace compared to the larger chaotic regions of Horn of African nation.