Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled an attack by ISWAP terrorists on FOB Mandaragirau in Sector. The attackers were met with a well-coordinated ambush and a deliberate offensive-defensive response from the troops, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided close air support to the troops, while also offering ISR feedback to enhance targeted kinetic responses.
The subsequent exploitation along the terrorists' withdrawal routes resulted in further heavy losses for the ISWAP fighters. A total of about 38 terrorists were neutralised, with 8 bodies recovered in the immediate engagement area. Local human intelligence confirms that over 30 additional terrorists' bodies and weapons were left strewn along the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle, evidenced by blood trails and abandoned equipment.
The troops also recovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 8 magazines, 4 RPG bombs, and assorted ammunition, without sustaining any fatalities. One MRAP was hit by RPG fire, but the injured personnel were promptly stabilised.
The scale of enemy losses in this operation is a testament to the sustained dominance of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action. The widespread jubilation among local communities is a direct result of the troops' bravery and strategic prowess. This operation is a significant blow to ISWAP's ability to wage war in the North East. The recovery of 38 terrorists and the destruction of their equipment will undoubtedly weaken their capacity to launch future attacks. Ultimately, this operation is a victory for the people of Maiduguri and the wider North East region, who can now live with greater peace of mind.
