Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have sustained offensive pressure against terrorists, under Operation DESERT SANITY V, with significant operational gains in 2 separate engagements involving troops of Sector 2 in the Azir Bridge (Timbuktu axis) and Bulabulin Forest areas in close coordination with the Air Component Command of OPHK.
On the Bulabulin Forest axis, troops of Sector 2 in conjunction with Sector 2 Stabilisation Force Brigade and the Civilian Joint Task Force cleared terrorist enclaves at Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti and Yaro Shuwari as well as other areas contiguous to the Bulabulin Forest and the Kamadogu Yobe stretch.
During the operation, supported by the air Component Command, the troops made contact at Malam Shiri Village and engaged the terrorists, neutralising 11 and forcing others to flee with varying degrees of injuries.
All life support structures were subsequently destroyed and exploitation of the area led to the recovery of 9 AK-47 rifles, 3 PKT anti aircraft automatic machine guns, 5 motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and several materials used for Improvised Explosive Devices.
Similarly, at the Timbuktu axis along the Wajiroko Sabongari corridor, troops neutralised 7 terrorists, with additional blood trails and body parts indicating significantly higher enemy casualties during the assault.
Recovered items include AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, a large cache of ammunition, bandoliers, and communication equipment.
The Air Component Command of OPHK played a very crucial and decisive role in both engagements, providing persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) that enabled accurate target acquisition and real-time situational awareness for ground troops coordinated fire.
Precision air interdiction strikes were subsequently conducted by the NAF aircrafts on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, further decimating scores of the insurgents and ensuring the success of a well synchronised air–land offensive that overwhelmed the adversary.
Troops, in conjunction with volunteer forces, are currently conducting aggressive follow-up exploitation operations along the Forfor, Multe, and Wajiroko axes to consolidate gains, pursue fleeing terrorists, and prevent any attempt at regrouping.
Reporting By Mary Fatile