NAIROBI, Kenya, May 21- A major security operation is currently underway in Mandera, following a morning terror attack that left five police officers injured.
Three police officers were killed during the attack.
The incident occurred in Banisa area of the border County of Mandera.
The security officers who were on patrol were ambushed by the attackers, whom authorities believe are members of the Somalia based Al-Shabaab terror group.
“They had planted an Improvised Explosive Device on the road, which hit the police vehicle,” detectives based in Mandera told Shahidi News.
The police vehicle, witnesses told Shahidi News, was extensively damaged after it caught fire.
The officers were moving from Banisa to Mandera, when the Friday incident occurred.
Some 15 police officers were onboard.
“Those who were injured are receiving treatment,” the National Police Headquarters said in a statement.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Kenya Police Service, Edward Mbugua, several militants were killed.
“There was an attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Banisa this morning (Friday) near the border and an operation is ongoing to get them,” he said during a phone interview with Shahidi News.
According to intelligence reports, the militants have been planning to conduct a series of attacks in the expansive Northern Kenya and parts of Coast, and more so in Lamu.
Authorities have heightened viglance in the areas.
On Tuesday, May 18, the terror group ambushed a Kenya Defence Forces convoy in Baure, Lamu killing at least five officials.
The terrorists have also been targeting communication masts in parts of Wajir County.
One of the attackers was a local who had gone to Somalia, where he joined the Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group.
Police have been mounting operations in the areas to thwart further attacks.
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