KDF Thwarts Terror Attacks After Discovering and Destroying 4 IEDs in Lamu
The photographer who took the famous pictures, Joan Monfort, has now spoken about that day. He says Messi had no idea who the baby was at the time.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers have foiled suspected Al-Shabaab terror plots in Lamu County after finding and destroying four dangerous roadside bombs that had been planted to kill security officers and civilians.
The bombs, known as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), were planted along major supply routes that are used daily by both KDF convoys and local residents. If they had exploded, they could have caused many deaths and injuries.
According to KDF, the operations were carried out under Operation Amani Boni (OAB), the special multi-agency operation that is working to flush out Al-Shabaab militants hiding inside Boni Forest. As part of the mission, KDF troops conduct daily route clearance, dominance patrols, and intelligence-led operations.
In the first incident, soldiers who were on a routine patrol noticed something suspicious on the road. On checking closely, they discovered a pressure-plate IED that had been carefully hidden along a busy supply route. The soldiers immediately stopped all movement, secured the area, and called the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. The EOD experts then carried out a controlled detonation and destroyed the bomb safely. No one was injured.
A few days later in a separate mission, KDF troops who were clearing the road in the Sarira area made another big discovery. They found three more IEDs that had been hidden along the same supply corridor. The bombs were planted about 5.1 kilometres, 8.27 kilometres, and 8.4 kilometres apart, showing that the terrorists had planned to hit multiple convoys.
The EOD team quickly secured the three spots and destroyed all three bombs in safe, controlled explosions, stopping what could have been a series of deadly attacks.
KDF said the continued use of IEDs shows that terrorist groups have changed tactics. After sustained military pressure from KDF, they can no longer carry out direct gun attacks, so they now rely on roadside bombs. No arrests were made during the two operations.
The military said the success was due to good intelligence, proper route clearance procedures, and the alertness of soldiers working in the tough Boni Forest environment.
The Commander of Operation Amani Boni confirmed that offensive and stabilization operations are still ongoing across the whole operation area. He said forces have maintained control of key zones, secured important roads, and are still hunting down those who planted the explosives.
The recovery of the four IEDs is expected to improve safety for residents, travelers, traders and businesses in Lamu.
Lamu remains under Operation Amani Boni, previously called Operation Linda Boni. The area has suffered many terror attacks for years. The worst attack happened in Mpeketoni and Kibaoni on June 15, 2014, when more than 90 people were killed. In recent years, over 100 security officers have been killed by IEDs in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties.
About Author
