At least three people were killed and eight others wounded after a car bomb detonated near a security checkpoint along a key road in Mogadishu on Saturday, security officials and witnesses said.

A police officer at the scene said the suicide bomber tried to force his car laden with explosives through a checkpoint near Sayidka junction in the vicinity of the Somali presidential palace, sparking a gunfight with security forces.

"Security forces at the checkpoint fired at the speedy car and then (the car bomb) exploded," according to a police officer.