The soldiers were enforcing an order by the area regional security committee banned unauthorized firearms inside the town.

Area deputy district commissioner Mohamed Hajji Adan told Sunatimes the committee took the decision to ban soldiers from carrying firearms while not in an official operation in order to contain an emerging trend where armed soldiers goes to the streets, adding that such guns could be used otherwise.

An officer was injured during the attack and is now being treated in the area district hospital, according to medical sources.

The move to restrict armed soldiers in the streets of Las Anod town is expected to absolutely put an end to frequent fire exchange between armed soldiers within the army outside their barracks.