Four suspected Al-Shabaab militants have been eliminated in Garissa County after security officers used drones to track them.
In a statement on Monday, June 2, the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) Kenya confirmed that the four terrorists were neutralized at the Najo and Guracho areas of Garissa County on Monday.
According to CTP, the Special Operations Group (SOG) team used a drone to track the four individuals.
After they spotted the team, the team went ahead and launched an attack, which culminated in an exchange of fire and ultimately led to the elimination of the four.
According to CTP, AK-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, multiple rounds of ammunition, and communication radios were recovered from the individuals.
"The success followed a meticulously planned intelligence-led operation. The militants were first spotted by a surveillance drone, after which SOG units tracked and engaged them," CTP stated.
"A fierce exchange of fire ensued, resulting in four terrorists being eliminated. Recovered at the scene were AK-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, multiple rounds of ammunition, and communication radios," it added.
CTP assured that the security agencies in the area will remain at the vanguard of dismantling members of the group in a bid to reinforce the country's security fitness.
"This marks yet another major victory in a series of well-coordinated operations that continue to cripple Al-Shabaab activity. The SOG, in close collaboration with other security agencies and the local community, remains unwavering in its mission to safeguard the lives and security of Kenyans," it stated.
This comes barely a month after the team, on Thursday, May 8, conducted yet another successful operation, where it managed to neutralise four militants.
According to the CTP, the SOG team had received intelligence that the militants were attempting to erect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Dadaab-Hagadera road, targeting civilians and security vehicles.
One militant was killed, and three others were injured, during an exchange of fire. Furthermore, the security officers also managed to arrest one of the suspects.
"On the morning of May 8, the elite Special Operations Group neutralised an Al-Shabaab terrorist in Garissa while responding to the reports by locals of militants attempting to plant improved explosive devices (IEDs) along the Dadaab-Hagadera road targeting civilians and security vehicles," it stated.
Following the operation, the authorities further recovered several weapons from the scene, including a PKM machine gun, an AK-47, a pistol, a comms radio, and an IED remote.
