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Six suspected Al Shabaab terrorists were Wednesday afternoon killed in a raid by a multi-agency team led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Kumba, Pandanguo in Lamu County.

The 1pm attack took place at an active Al shabaab camp located about 10km West of Pandanguo where the six were killed and several weapons and logistical supplies recovered.

“The public is advised to remain vigilant as the operation may lead to increased activity from the group, particularly as the number of injured terrorists is reported to be high,” security agencies said.

Community members have also been encouraged to report any suspicious behavior or individuals seeking assistance in the area.

“This vigilance is crucial as we continue to disrupt terrorist activities and enhance security in the region,” they said.

The scene of the ambush falls within the expansive Boni Forest where the terrorists hide as they plan to launch attacks on the Kenyan side, according to security sources.

Police said among those killed was a light-skinned man who authorities believe is a foreigner, adding that some of the terrorists however managed to escaped during the attack.

The raid was staged following intelligence reports that the group was planning an attack in the area. Already, a major operation is ongoing in areas affected by terror-related attacks.

Areas bordering Boni Forest have been facing increased terror-related attacks largely due to its proximity to the Somalia border.

The border areas of Mandera, Wajir, Lamu and Garissa have faced similar attacks resulting in slugging development in the areas.

Police and military officials said they are in active pursuit of the attackers believed to be remnants of al Shabaab hiding in Boni Forest.

The terrorists cross over from Somalia and stage attacks in Kenya before retreating to their hideouts in the forest areas under their control.

However, following enhanced operations within the Coast and North Eastern regions, there has been a significant reduction in such attacks.

On Monday, several people were killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a donkey cart went off in Elwak town, Mandera County.

The blast took place opposite a local Administration Police Service (APS) camp and it is believed it was detonated by a person who was nearby.

In a related attack on January 19, a police officer was killed and two others seriously injured when a bomb that was concealed within a donkey cart exploded at the cross border between Mandera town and Bula Hawa in the same Mandera county.

Though numerous plots by the Al shaabab and its network have been uncovered and neutralized ahead of time, several of the attacks have succeeded, resulting in the brutal killing of innocent civilians and security personnel.

Most of these attacks have taken place in Lamu and the general Boni enclave.

The attacks pose a major test to both Kenya and Somalia which had planned to reopen the border points between the two countries -which were closed 12 years ago due to the threat of terrorism -in phases, within the next three months.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had said this would ensure resumption of trade between the two countries, facilitate movement of people and promote sustainable development between the two countries.

The three border points are Handera-bulahawa in Mandera County, Liboi-Harhar in Garissa County and Kiunga-Daresalam in Lamu County which were closed in 2011 at the height of constant invasion and attacks masterminded by the Al-shabaab terror group.

During the launch of Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands Security project in Mandera town in May, CS Kindiki and his Somalia counterpart reiterated the need for renewed partnerships to secure the north from terror groups and tackle the complex and sensitive security threats jointly.

“The programs that we run as governments must be alive to the complex security that we face today as a region. We all must walk together, hand in hand, shoulder by shoulder to deliver for our people in the region,” Kindiki said then.