Seven police officers were injured on Tuesday after their patrol vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Gadudia–Laga Road in Mandera East, located in Mandera County.
According to a police report filed at the Khalalio Police Station, the incident took place between Aresa and Khalalio areas, roughly four kilometers west of the station.
The officers were travelling in a police vehicle from Mandera Police Station, bearing the registration number GKB 885W, when the IED exploded. The blast severely damaged the rear part of the vehicle, causing injuries to most of the officers on board.
Out of the seven officers, six suffered various injuries. Some had wounds on their legs and hands, while others sustained trauma to the chest, forehead, and eyes. One officer managed to walk away from the scene without any injuries.
The injured officers were quickly taken to the Khalalio Health Centre, where they are currently receiving treatment. Authorities have not yet released the names of the affected officers or confirmed how serious the injuries are.
Following the attack, the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) in Mandera took over the investigation. A detailed progress report is expected as the investigation continues. Security agencies are closely monitoring the situation and gathering evidence to determine who is behind the attack.
Mandera County, which shares a border with Somalia, has experienced similar attacks in the past, often linked to terrorist groups believed to be operating from across the border.
In response to the incident, the National Police Service (NPS) announced that a joint security team from different law enforcement agencies has been deployed to the area. Their main mission is to pursue and apprehend the attackers responsible for planting the explosive.
This latest attack is part of a troubling pattern of increased threats against security officers in Kenya’s North Eastern region.
In a separate incident that occurred in May this year, three police officers survived another IED explosion in Daadab, Garissa County. In that case, suspected militants had hidden the device along the road, targeting a police vehicle.
Garissa County Commissioner Naftali Koojo confirmed that the May 8 attack happened early in the morning at around 6 a.m.
Security forces in the area have since remained on high alert, as militants continue to focus their attacks on law enforcement personnel operating in these high-risk zones.
Newshub.co.ke obtained video footage and images from the May incident showing that the militants had carefully dug a hole in the road to hide the explosive.
The blast also injured two civilians who were travelling in the police vehicle. The civilians, along with the officers, were rushed to hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Security agencies are now working closely to strengthen patrols and intelligence gathering in the region, hoping to prevent future attacks and bring the attackers to justice.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
