Mogadishu, Jun 8 (IANS): At least 61 people were killed in militant Islamist group Al-Shabab's attack on a military base in Somalias semi-autonomous state of Puntland on Thursday.
The attack took place on the base near the remote Galgala Mountains, about 70 km from the port city of Bosaso.
The group said it killed 61 government troops and seized 16 vehicles in the dawn raid, BBC reported.
However, a Puntland government minister denied the toll, but did not give separate casualty figures.
The Al-Qaeda-linked group had carried out several big attacks on military bases in Somalia.
Confirming the attack, Puntland Security Minister Abdiaziz Hirsi said that an investigation was under way and details would be given later.