Police Captain Mohamed Hussein was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera that the attack began on Saturday morning when a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives at the gate of the interior ministry, located close to the presidential palace and the headquarters of parliament.

Another blast occurred close to a police station.

The police told media all the three attackers were killed during gunfight with security forces.

Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked armed group, claimed responsibility for the attack, reported Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile,  African Union Mission in Somalia has condemned the attack.

" #AMISOM strongly condemns this morning's attack on the premises of the Ministry of Interior in #Mogadishu. The terrorists prove once again their disregard for the stability and progress of #Somalia," the mission tweeted.

Image: Internet Grab