2nd LD Writethru: At least 2 killed, 4 injured in Kenyan college attack

At least two people have been confirmed dead and four others injured after gunmen attacked a university in northern Kenya's Garissa town early Thursday.

Kenya's National Disaster Operations Centre said the government has mobilized security troops including Kenya Defence Force (KDF) who are at the scene to engage the masked gunmen suspected to be Al-Shabaab in the fight.

"Two fatalities, four injured reported so far. KDF at the scene," the disaster centre said in brief statement amid sporadic gunfire at the facility located near the border with Somalia.

There are fears of mass casualties as gunmen are still hold up in the compound.

"The security forces have cornered the gunmen in one dormitory. They are not allowing anyone inside the compound and have taken control," said Hamza Yusuf, a student, by telephone.

Reports said more than 30 students have fled to safety while others who escaped with injuries are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. Kenya Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations are the at scene to help in the rescue services.

Ismail Abdikadir, an activist based in Garissa, said the gunmen went into the university posing as worshipers for morning prayers.

"There were many students who were for the morning prayers. There could be many casualties," Abdikadir said by telephone.

The attack started from the Mosque inside the university where the attackers shot at worshippers indiscriminately. Students who escaped the attack said there were at least five attackers. Many other students and teachers were still being held hostage by 8:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT).

Witnesses said ambulances were carrying casualties to Nairobi.

Local security officials said there had been threats on the institutions there from terror group.

"We had the threats earlier and had alerted the institutions here," said a security official who asked not to be named. Enditem