1st LD Writethru: Kenya foils terror attack on police station in NE region

Kenyan security forces thwarted a terror attack by more than 100 heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants at a police station in Wajir County, northeastern Kenya nearing Somalia border early Saturday.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet confirmed the incident, saying the security forces fought off the militants who had stormed Diffu Police Station in three trucks and heavy mortar fire.

"There was an attack but officers put up stiff resistance and fought them off despite Al-Shabaab having come numbering over 100 in three trucks and heavy mortar fire. No casualties on our side," Boinnet said.

He said the militants escaped having looted local shops, an officer's tent, and possibly with casualties.

Wajir police said the insurgents from Somalia attacked the station from two fronts having cut off the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camp which is about 15 kms away.

"The militants threw three bombs into the police station and after fierce exchange of fire they overran the camp. One officer was injured but he is in fair condition," said a police officer who sought anonymity.

He said the militants grabbed 13 AK-47 rifles with 10,000 bullets. "We have launched a security operation to arrest the militants who we suspect might have crossed into Somalia," he added.

Kenya has heightened security around the country with security agencies at an unprecedented state of alert after latest reports that Al-Shabaab plans more attacks against Kenya and foreign interests in the country.

Since Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia in October 2011, northern and parts of eastern Kenya have been hit by a series of blasts.

Several attacks believed to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa and Dadaab districts of northern Kenya even as the military reports gains against the Islamist group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them. Enditem