KDF kill five suspected Al Shabaab militants in Boni Forest

A Kenya Defence Forces soldier keeps watch from an armoured vehicle during a patrol in Boni Forest. [File, Standard]

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Special Forces have killed five Al Shabaab militants during an operation in Lacta, Mangai, in the expansive Boni Forest in Lamu County

The soldiers, on an intelligence-led patrol, discovered and destroyed a makeshift militant camp.

They recovered AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers with warheads, rounds of ammunition, solar panels, tents and materials used for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Other militants escaped with injuries, according to a statement by Strategic Communications of the KDF on Tuesday, August 26.

This comes months after at least five Special Operations Group officers from the border patrol unit were killed while eight others suffered injuries during an operation to apprehend suspected terrorists in Lehelo, Lamu.

The team had been tracking the suspects for two days before the ambush.

"Operation Amani Boni (OAB) remains committed to restoring peace and security in the Boni region so that families can live without fear," said the statement from the KDF.

The army urged residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.

"Together, we will exterminate terrorism and ensure a peaceful Boni," added the statement.