Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed eight suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in an air strike in Borno State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operation was conducted in Thethangala, within the Timbuktu Triangle, following credible intelligence on the presence of suspected terrorists in the area, according to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
The publication reported that the strike was carried out at about 9:56pm on August 18 after a Guardian aircraft established the target overhead.
“The sources said the aircraft sighted eight terrorists converged and lying in wait, apparently preparing to launch an attack on Nigerian troops deployed in the area,” Makama reported.
The identified fighters were subsequently engaged in a precision air strike.
“Battle Damage Assessment shows all the terrorists neutralised, with no further movement observed after the strike,” the publication said.
The Timbuktu Triangle is considered a significant operational area for ISWAP activities in the North-East.
According to Makama, the military high command said the overall security situation remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.
Operation Hadin Kai has continued to intensify coordinated ground and air operations targeting terrorist formations and logistics networks across the North-East.
The operations are particularly focused on areas where insurgents are attempting to regroup and launch attacks on military positions.
