An unknown number of suspected Al Shabaab militants destroyed a communication mast at Diiso in Garissa County.
According to locals, heavily armed militants struck at about 1am yesterday, destroying a communication mast and a diesel generator that powers it.
A security officer told The Standard that officers at a nearby camp retreated when militants struck the sleepy village. Loud explosions were heard in Garissa town that is 40km away.
Initial reports indicated that 21 officers attached to the camp were missing. Security sources, however, confirmed that all officers were accounted for.
Garissa County Police Commander Alfred Ongengo led a contingent of security officers to assess the damage. He said his officers were pursuing the attackers.
Garissa County Commissioner Mwangi Meru confirmed the attack, but said he would issue a statement after officers sent to the area had returned.
The attackers are believed to have fled towards Kenya-Somalia border.
The militants have in the past targeted communication masts, grounding free flow of information in areas near the Kenya-Somalia border. Somalia-based militants have also killed security officers by planting Improvise Explosives Devices on roads.
On October 11, General Service Unit officers were killed after their vehicle ran over explosives in Damajaley.
In the last two years, communication in Hulugho, Galmagala, Ammuma, Welmarer and surrounding areas have been disrupted. Areas near the border in Wajir and Mandera have also been affected.
