![Soldiers belonging to the Burundian contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia prepare to march on the Al Shabab held town of Ragaele in the Hiraan region of Somalia on September 30, 2014 [AMISOM]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/SAMISOM_15230279329-e1501415034639.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
At least four soldiers were killed and three others injured early Sunday when al-Shabaab militants attacked an army checkpoint in central Somalia, according to a police official.
Hiiran Police Commander Col. Issak Ali Abdulle said the attack occurred in Kalabayr, a strategic road junction some 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away from Beledweyne town and about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) from Fer-Fer, a town at the border between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Al-Shabaab claimed it killed six troops in the attack.
The injured soldiers were taken to Beledweyne town for treatment, the police commander added.
Read: US drone strike kills Al-Shabaab fighter in Somalia
Since last week, al-Shabaab has briefly overrun army checkpoints in Bulagudud, Beled-Hawo, El-wak and Kalabayr.
Earlier this month, at least two people were killed in a suspected al-Shabaab suicide bombing at a busy restaurant in Beledweyne town.
Beledweyne, 345 kilometers (214miles) north of capital Mogadishu, is the regional capital of Hiran. The town is also a base for African Union troops from Djibouti and Ethiopia.