MOGADISHU, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Senior al-Shabaab Commander Ali Ahmed Gure was killed on Monday by Ma'awisley, a pro-government clan-based militia, following an operation in the Hiran region of central Somalia, authorities confirmed.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, local forces backed by the Somali National Army carried out an overnight operation near Moqokori town.

The ministry said the forces shot the commander dead while he sat at a tea shop, and an AK-47 rifle and a pistol were recovered.

Gure was behind heinous attacks against officials and civilians in the Hiran region and was one of the group's most wanted senior leaders.

Somalia's military court had sentenced Gure to death in absentia after he was found guilty of being behind the killing of a security officer of Mahas district in the same region.

Security forces have vowed to intensify both air and ground operations to flush out al-Shabab militants in central and southern regions. ■