NAIROBI — Three Kenyan police officers were severely injured on Monday following a targeted improvised explosive device (IED) attack near the restive Kenya-Somalia border, local security officials confirmed.
According to an official security incident report, the ambush occurred at approximately 6:33 a.m. local time (0333 GMT) in the Harbole area of northeastern Kenya. The police officers were traveling in a water bowser truck conducting routine supply duties when an underground IED detonated. The massive blast severely damaged the heavy vehicle’s engine block and injured the three officers on board.
Immediate Medical and Security Response
First responders quickly transported the injured personnel to a nearby medical facility for emergency first aid. The officers have been stabilized and are currently awaiting an emergency medical airlift to Nairobi for specialized trauma treatment.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, rapid response security agencies intensified clearance operations in the surrounding area as criminal investigations into the attack continue. The northeastern border region remains a volatile hotspot for Al-Shabaab and allied militant groups crossing over from neighboring Somalia to conduct asymmetric warfare.
Bolstering Border Defenses
This latest attack is part of a renewed wave of terror by militant factions targeting both security installations and critical civilian infrastructure. Police commanders noted that the Harbole area has suffered numerous sporadic attacks from militants, occasionally facilitated by local sympathizers who assist in planting the hidden explosives along known patrol routes.
Federal authorities have publicly pledged to protect citizens and maintain constant vigilance along the frontier. In response to the escalating threat, the government has committed additional resources and specialized units to bolster border security and prevent further militant incursions.
