Mogadishu, 23 March 2007 - Officials in the regional government of Puntland in northeast Somalia admitted Thursday that they had lost several soldiers and war vehicles in heavy gun battle that erupted in Adado district of Galgadud region in central Somalia.

Over 12 soldiers from Puntland have been killed armed confrontation which took place in the town of Adado in which they engaged with local militiamen.

The fighting forced that Puntland troops to withdraw the settlement.

"Heavily armed men have launched ambush attack on a compound positioned by our troops who went there to support the interim government killing 10 soldiers and wounding 6 others and seized four of war vehicles, two of them were carrying military supply," said Dahir Hasan, the commander of the seventh division of Puntland army.

The fighting also caused casualty on the local men that attacked Puntland troops.

The situation in Adado now remains calm after the local militia took over control of the town.

Source: Shabelle Media Network