Special forces operatives in two helicopters have carried out a raid on Somalia's Shebab insurgents, government officials and the Al-Qaeda-linked gunmen said Wednesday. 

The overnight raid, reportedly by foreign troops, targeted the Shebab-controlled town of Awdhegele, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

"There was (an) operation by Special Forces late last night around Awdhegele town. We have reports Shebab militants suffered casualties," local district commissioner Mohamed Aweys told reporters. The Shebab group confirmed the raid but said they fought the troops off.