Mogadishu, March 21 (IANS) At least 70 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed and 30 captured in heavy fighting by Somalia's Puntland forces, officials said on Monday.
Puntland Minister of Information Mohamud Hassan said the battles took place in Suuj Valley in Nugal region, northern Somalia, and the government forces overpowered the insurgents in the last four days, reports Xinhua.
"We have killed 70 Al-Shabab fighters. We also arrested 30 of them. This is a military victory against the terrorist group," Hassan said.
He said more than 500 militants, who stormed the region, have now been surrounded by the Puntland forces, who are also pursing those who escaped.
Al-Shabaab has been facing a major onslaught from the Somali security forces backed by the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) troops.
Kenyan soldiers have killed more than 50 militants in the past week in different shootout incidences in southern Somalia.
