WAJIR — Kenya Defence Forces troops repelled an attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants near the Kenya–Somalia border on Saturday evening, local officials said.

The confrontation occurred on 22 August in Konton, Wajir County, as troops stationed at a nearby military camp conducted a mobile patrol.

An unknown number of suspected militants reportedly opened fire on the patrol, prompting an immediate response from the soldiers. The ensuing exchange forced the assailants to retreat towards Somalia, according to a local official.

No casualties were reported among the Kenyan troops, all of whom returned safely following the confrontation. It was not immediately clear whether the attackers suffered any casualties.

Security agencies have heightened surveillance across the area and launched an investigation to establish the attackers’ identities, numbers and movements.

The incident comes amid mounting concern over militant activity along Kenya’s border with Somalia. Security officials believe a recent series of attacks in Mandera, Garissa and Lamu counties may be aimed at testing the preparedness of Kenyan forces and identifying vulnerabilities at security installations.

The latest confrontation follows a deadly attack in Mandera County on 28 July, in which six Kenyan security personnel were killed. The victims included five officers from the Special Operations Group and one member of the National Police Reserve.