MOGADISHU, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces on Tuesday repulsed an attack by al-Shabab militants on a military base at Alamada village, outside of the capital Mogadishu, officials said,

Military commander Mohamed Mumin told Xinhua by phone that five militants attempted to launch an attack on their base but the forces have managed to foil the attack.

"We have arrested the attackers, there were five, and one of them was injured during the fighting" he said.

The commander noted that a tip off from the public led to repulse of the attack, adding they have also seized a car filled with explosives aimed at killing innocent people.

Witnesses said they heard gunfire lasted for a while at Alamada village.

"There was exchange of gunfire at the area but the situation is calm now," said Abdullahi Muhidin, a resident.

The latest incident comes amid heighten vigilance by Somalia's stabilization security unit forces who have launched operations targeting several parts of the country.