Libyan soldier killed in Benghazi mine blast: Security source

A Libyan soldier has been killed in a mine explosion in the volatile eastern city of Benghazi, a security source says.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Sunday, the explosion took place near an army checkpoint in the city late on Saturday.

The source also said that another soldier was wounded in the attack, adding the mine was hidden in a trash bag.

Military officers and soldiers, doctors, and judges have been targeted in a number of recent attacks in the country.

On October 24, a Libyan air force colonel was killed in Benghazi after unidentified gunmen opened fire on him.

“The head of air traffic controllers in Benina military base, Colonel Adel Khalil al-Tawahini, was killed…,” said Colonel Abdallah al-Zaidi, a spokesman for security services.

The colonel’s assassination came a week after armed men had gunned down top military police commander, Ahmed al-Barghathi, in the city while he was leaving home to attend Friday prayers.

On September 11, an explosion killed police colonel, Salem al-Orfi, in the Assalam neighborhood of Benghazi.

In February 2011, Libyans rose up against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s four-decade rule and deposed him in August, 2011. He was slain in his hometown of Sirte on October 20 of the same year.