Troops Repel ISWAP Attack, Kill Scores in Fierce Air-Ground Offensive in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents during a decisive counter-offensive in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military authorities said the attacks occurred in the early hours of Thursday when ISWAP fighters launched simultaneous assaults on troops’ positions at Dusten Kura and Chara Road in the Buratai axis of southern Borno.
According to a statement by OPHK, the terrorists attempted to overrun the military locations but were met with stiff resistance from alert troops who had detected their movement through intelligence-driven surveillance.
The statement said troops immediately engaged the insurgents with superior firepower while coordinating a robust air and ground response that ultimately forced the terrorists into a disorderly retreat.
“The terrorists launched multiple attacks on troops’ locations at Dusten Kura and Chara Road in Buratai. However, alert troops, supported by credible intelligence, swiftly detected the incursion and responded with overwhelming force.
“The coordinated response involved both ground troops and the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, resulting in heavy casualties on the terrorists and the disruption of their attack plans,” the statement said.
Military sources disclosed that the Air Component played a critical role in the operation through the deployment of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, as well as precision strike platforms of the Nigerian Air Force.
The aerial assets reportedly tracked the movement of the terrorists, provided real-time intelligence to ground forces and conducted precision strikes on identified enemy positions.
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The integrated air-ground operation, according to the military, significantly degraded the terrorists’ fighting capability and prevented them from gaining any tactical advantage.
“The seamless integration of air and ground forces proved decisive. Precision air support disrupted the terrorists’ assault and inflicted severe losses on their personnel and equipment,” the statement added.
The military further revealed that no casualties were recorded among troops during the encounter, a development attributed to the preparedness, professionalism and combat effectiveness of personnel involved in the operation.
Security analysts say the successful defence of the military positions further highlights the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and joint-force coordination in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign across the North-East.
The latest operation comes amid sustained offensive actions by Operation HADIN KAI aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, disrupting logistics networks and denying insurgents freedom of movement across the theatre.
Military authorities reiterated that troops remained on high alert and would continue aggressive operations to neutralise terrorist elements and prevent them from regrouping.
The Theatre Command also urged residents of communities across the North-East to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information capable of assisting ongoing operations.
According to the command, public cooperation remains critical to sustaining gains recorded in the fight against terrorism and restoring lasting peace to the region.
“The Theatre Command remains committed to maintaining relentless pressure on terrorists and ensuring the safety of law-abiding citizens throughout the North-East theatre of operations,” the statement said.
Operation HADIN KAI has, in recent months, intensified offensive operations against terrorist groups operating in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa States, resulting in the neutralisation of several insurgents, recovery of weapons and destruction of terrorist logistics infrastructure.