MOGADISHU, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A veteran Somali journalist was seriously wounded in a car bomb attack in Mogadishu on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The police who did not want to be identified confirmed Wednesday that Ismail Sheikh Khalifa, also a media rights activist was injured when the bomb hidden in his vehicle was remotely exploded in Waberi district and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Somali Media Association (SOMA) in a statement released on Tuesday evening condemned the incident and called for thorough investigations.

"We strongly condemn in the strongest term this worrying act of attempting the lives of an innocent Somali journalist. We therefore call on the Somali authorities and all the media stakeholders to spare no effort in further improving and protecting the safety of journalists and the freedom of expression," SOMA said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the latest incident.