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Suspected militants destroy communication network in NE Kenya

Xinhua, June 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenyan authorities on Saturday deployed more security officers to the northeastern county of Mandera after suspected Al-Shabaab militants destroyed communication network in the region.

Regional Deputy County Commissioner, Erick Ornyi, said security had been stepped up after a mast belonging to mobile phone operator, Safaricom, and a borehole in Lafey sub-county were destroyed early Saturday.

"The midnight attack took place at about 1:00 a.m. in Damasa location, barely one kilometer from Somalia. Residents heard explosions; we discovered destroyed Safaricom communication cables and water source in the area," Ornyi said.

Ornyi said explosive devices were planted around the mast and the borehole. The mast was reduced to a shell and the engine pumping water from the borehole reduced to ashes. The attackers ran away after the explosions.

The attack took place near a rapid deployment unit of the Kenyan army and paramilitary police camps manning the border with Somalia, the official said.

The borehole supplies water to the military, police sections and the local community.

The local residents are now using Somalia's mobile phone network Hormud, which they said was expensive for them.

Somalia's Islamist group Al-Shabaab is thought to be behind the explosions.

On Monday, suspected Al-Shabaab militants ambushed a police vehicle in Mandera county, killing five policemen.

The Somali militants have previously attacked military and police targets by planting explosives in Kenya's northeastern region, especially in Mandera and Garissa counties.

The militants have carried out several bloody attacks in Kenya in recent years. Endit