By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa, Borno, neutralising about 26 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.

This is contained in a statement on Saturday by Capt. Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East.

Goni said the terrorists attacked troops of 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa at about 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 28.

He said the troops responded with direct and indirect fire, repelling the attack and forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.

According to him, the terrorists sustained heavy casualties during the encounter, with several others wounded while fleeing the area.

Goni said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI was immediately deployed to interdict the fleeing terrorists as they withdrew on motorcycles.

He said in spite of challenging weather conditions, the air component struck terrorists taking cover under trees, neutralising an estimated 10 of them.

He said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets of the Multi-National Joint Task Force subsequently tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.

According to him, the intelligence enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, neutralising an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.

Goni said ground troops subsequently recovered two motorcycles, neutralised another terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items during exploitation of the area.

He said the coordinated ground and air operations effectively disrupted the attack and denied the terrorists the opportunity to regroup or sustain operations in the area.

The military spokesman said troops were replenished by air with essential combat supplies to sustain the pressure on the terrorists.

He said four military personnel sustained injuries during the engagement, adding that the wounded personnel were promptly evacuated and remained in stable condition.

Goni said troops had commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the encounter continued.

He said the successful defence of Kukawa demonstrated the capability of Operation HADIN KAI to integrate ground forces, air assets and intelligence for rapid response to terrorist threats.

Goni said the Joint Task Force remained committed to sustaining offensive and intelligence-led operations to degrade terrorist capabilities and protect communities across the North-East. (NAN)