MOGADISHU, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) on Wednesday arrested four Al-Shabaab militants behind the killing of former Bulo-burte commissioner and other terror plots against government officials and community leaders in Beledweyne town in Hiiraan region of central Somalia, officials said.

Isak Ali Abdule, a police commander, said the forces successfully captured the militants believed to be behind several deadly attacks and killings of regional officials in the region.

Ali Jeyte Osman, Governor of Hiiraan region, said the militants had escaped after killing several people in the region, adding authorities are still in operation to arrest more militants.

Al-Shabaab militants often carry out assassinations in Beledweyne town despite the presence of African Union and SNA forces.