Terrorist group al-Shabab kills 2 police, 1 civilian in northern Kenya

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Al-Shabab terrorists based in neighboring Somalia on Wednesday killed two police officers and a civilian in Northern Kenya, some 435 kilometers (270 miles) from the capital Nairobi.

Thomas Bett, deputy county commissioner in the eastern part of the city of Bura in Garissa County, confirmed the attack to the media, noting in a statement that a police officer was injured and is currently receiving treatment.

“A total of six people were in the vehicle, there was a rocket-propelled grenade attack and an improvised explosive device targeting the vehicle,” he said.

“The attackers managed to immobilize the vehicle but were repulsed after heavy gunfire.”

The police vehicle was attached to Galmagalla Police Station in Bura East, Northeastern County Police Chief George Seda also confirmed in a statement.

Police have said they are hot on the heels of the attackers, as the Interior Ministry and local authorities are on high alert after intelligence reports of attacks planned across the East African country.

In 2013, al-Shabab terrorists killed at least 67 people during a four-day siege at Westgate Mall in Nairobi.

Kenya in 2015 said that the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab terrorists were responsible for an attack on Garissa University that killed more than 140 students.