Mogadishu, Nov 28 (IANS): Somali army on Tuesday killed three al-Shabab militants and injured several others during fierce fighting with the insurgents at Oronto in the Hiraan region of central Somalia, officials said.

Farah Koshin, Somali National Army (SNA) Commander, said the fighting broke out after the militants attempted to ambush the forces who had just left Beledweyne town to Mahas town in Hiraan region.

"Somali National Army killed three al-Shabab militants, injured several others and recovered weapons. The terrorist fighters attempted to ambush the army travelling to Mahas town, but they were repulsed and three of them killed," Koshin said, Xinhua news agency reported.

He did not say whether there were some casualties on SNA soldiers.

The militant group's media affiliated website said their fighters conducted an ambush attack against SNA near Mahas town in Hiraan region, but did not state the number of casualties.

Somali and African Union peacekeeping mission forces have intensified security in Beledweyne town and its environs following the visit by officials from Hirshabelle State and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in the town.