This archive report was first published on 14 June 2020.
On Sunday, June 14, 2020, at 3am, suspected Al-Shabaab militants carried out an attack on a communications mast in Mandera County, Kenya, resulting in the death of a police reservist.
According to Lafey Deputy County Commissioner John Marete, the attackers, estimated to be around 10 in number, were heavily armed and launched a rocket-propelled grenade attack on the mast.
Mr. Marete stated, 'We have lost a police reservist this morning in an incident at Warankara Township. The attackers hauled two rocket propelled grenades at the mast resulting into a gun battle with police reservists guarding the mast.'
The police reservist was fatally injured during the ensuing gun battle.
Despite being outnumbered, the police reservists managed to repulse the attackers after an intense half-hour gun battle.
Mr. Marete revealed that one of the militants was injured and later died about a kilometre from the scene of the attack.
A 10-year-old boy was also injured in the incident, suffering a gunshot wound to the hip. He is reportedly in stable condition.
Security surveillance has been increased in the area to track down the remaining attackers, who are believed to be hiding in the Daua Duba hills within Lafey Sub-County.
Mr. Marete stated, 'We are suspecting these attackers have not crossed into Somalia but hiding in the Daua Duba hills within Lafey Sub-County and we shall be smoking them out.'
