Somali police said Sunday they arrested several suspects linked to Al-Shabaab militants and seized explosives and weapons in an operation in a town in the country's southern region.

The arrested are believed to have links with the militants as they were planning to launch terror attacks in the newly liberated town of Bardere in Gedo region, according to senior police officer Abdiqani Shu'ayb in the town.

"We conducted a large-scale security operation in the town following intelligence information that a number of people with intention of planning attacks are hiding in the city," Shu'ayb told Xinhua, adding that they also seized several explosives and weapons during the operation.

"We found different types of weapons used by Al-Shabaab to disrupt the security situation in Bardere town. We will continue similar operations to beef up security," he added.

Government and African Union peacekeeping forces captured Bardere town early this month after Al-Shabaab was defeated and fled the town.

Source: XINHUA