Mogadishu, Jan 8 : At least 20 people were killed and more than 40 wounded when African Union peacekeeping forces and Islamist insurgents exchanged heavy fire here Thursday, officials said.

Most of the victims were civilians, Xinhua reported citing emergency officials.

The fighting started in the northern part of the Somali capital after militants detonated a bomb targeting the Somali Army chief. He survived the attack.

The Somali government and Islamist insurgents are locked in a bitter battle over the control of Mogadishu.(IANS)