Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a police vehicle, carrying six officers and five civilians, today morning.
The militants are said to have strategically planted a land mine on the road before taking cover in the nearby bushes.
The police land cruiser traveling from Bodhai division in Hullugho sub-county and heading Hindi town in Lamu County reportedly ran over the explosive.
The Standard reports that the vehicle was extensively damaged by the powerful impact of the explosive, but no officers were injured according to North Eastern regional commissioner Mohamud Saleh.
However, according to an NTV report 7 people -two police officers and 5 civilians- died in the incident.
NTV reports that after the landmine exploded the militants who were hiding in the bushes opened fire at the officers.
Initial reports indicated that three police officers had gone missing after the militants opened fire.
North Eastern regional commissioner conceded having scanty information about the incident since it occurred in an area out of his jurisdiction.
He however said, all officers and civilians in the vehicle were safe and were evacuated to Hindi town by a respond security team from Lamu County.
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