Garowe (Sunatimes) Puntland authorities in Garowe have on Thursday assembled and displayed a number of alleged Al-Shabaab fighters who were captured during the recent clashes in Galkayo.

They say there were taking part in the recent clashes between Puntland security forces and what the authorities called it "terrorist groups.

In a press conference in Garowe city, Nugal police boss, Osman Hassan Uke said after thorough investigations to the captives, they discovered that captives were members of the outlawed Al-Shabaab militia group.

He said 28 of them are currently being held in Bosaso town while others are still held in Galkayo city.

He added that police netted some of the captives in custody after launching an operation aimed at flashing out militant elements in Galkayo while others were caught during the recent clashes in northern Galkayo.

Uke said that all of them have pleaded guilty and will soon be arraigned in court for terrorizing Puntland administered areas as most of them have accepted their involvement in militancy.

Puntland deputy police boss Abdullahi Slah Nadara also told reporters that the captives were lured into the recent clashes after they were brainwashed and mislead by militant elements.

He said they creating havoc in Puntland, accusing them of masterminding the recent assassinations in several cities of Puntland.

He urged locals to be extra vigilant of extremists causing instability in their areas. He cautioned them not to engage with any terrorist elements as they are out to destabilise Puntland.

Nadar called on the public to cordially work with security officers in the region to stamp out militant elements hiding within the community.

He stressed that it was up to the locals to safeguard their security as area administration only could not keep the militants at bay.

Meanwhile Puntland authorities say they released two suspects after they found them not guilty of the said charges against them.

The administration also accused the militia group of planning and coordinating the recent clashes in northern Galkayo. An accusations refuted by local elders, saying the clashes were between Puntland forces and local clan militias.

The recent two day clashes in Garsor neighbourhood of Galkayo city has claimed the lives of over forty people while hundreds of others were wounded, mainly combatants from both sides of the warring groups.

Puntland has been accusing the Al-Shabaab militia group of trying to destabilise the region.

By Dahir Alasow