At least three 'al-Shabaab' militants were killed on Monday in a heavy battle in a village in Hiran region, central Somalia, police have said.

Police officer Ali Kheylshe told to National Media that 'al-Shabaab' fighters attempted to attack Ethiopian and Somali forces who were travelling at Nur Fanah village in Hiran region, but the attack was repulsed by the joint forces.

We have managed to kill at least three of them ('al-Shabaab'), forcing the rest of the attackers to flee the scene," Kheylshe said.

According to the officer, the joint forces were vigilant at moment of the attack, denying they were casualties on them.