KENYA: Suspected Al-Shabaab militants on Thursday raided Fino Town in Mandera County and destroyed a communication mast after engaging police officers on duty in a shootout.
Authorities said the gunmen escaped after the incident and no injury was reported in the 2am incident.
But the fighting resurfaced six hours later after the gunmen clashed with a reinforcement that was pursuing them.
The fighting continued for hours with witnesses saying there were casualties. Authorities in the area said they drove the gang towards Somalia border.
The attack left many locals with no communication as the mast they rely on was destroyed. Police said the gang first engaged officers who were near there in a shootout as another group planted Improvised Explosive Devices on the targeted masts.
Lafey OCPD Bosita Omukolongo said the incident happened Thursday at about 2 am.
"No injury was reported after the exchange. The group escaped after blowing up the mast," said the police boss.
This is the second incident to happen in the area and targeting communication masts.
In June, another mast was destroyed in Damasa area by the same group. They do so to stop communication between the locals and others and in preparation for an attack.
Security has been beefed up in the area in anticipation of an attack by the gang. There have been fluctuating attacks from the militants targeting various installations and people. Security agencies have been fighting to contain the situation.
