More than 25 people have been arrested during the course of the crackdown.
A TFG security officer in Beledweyne, Ahmed Hassan Duulaay, claimed that the operation had resulted in the destruction of al-Shabaab bases where the bombing had been directed and planned.
“We succeeded in destroying more than three bases that the terrorists used to plan their operations,” he told Somalia Report.
“Also we killed several militants after they tried to escape. We appreciate the residents of Beledweyne for their support of the national forces, since they informed us where the peace-hating militants were staying,” he added.
Mr. Duulaay stated that a military operation carried out late on Tuesday targeted a house which was said to be where the insurgents had hidden out in the days running up to the attack, and where they had kept the van used to carry out the bombing.
He added that TFG forces had apprehended another man and a van filled with explosive materials on the Lik-likato bridge. According to the officer, Ethiopian troops took the man and his vehicle to a military base on the outskirts of town.
The situation in the district was very calm on Wednesday, as crowds returned to the streets and business resumed after 24 hours of heavy restrictions.