The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has reportedly eliminated 38 suspected terrorists during a series of precision air strikes carried out at different locations in Borno State.
The operations, conducted between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities that detected movements of suspected terrorists in the areas.
The strikes were part of intensified military efforts to weaken terrorist formations and restrict their freedom of movement across the North-East.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, an armed reconnaissance aircraft was conducting operations over Aduwa at about 10:23pm on August 21 when intelligence indicated the presence of terrorist fighters and vehicles in the area.
The aircraft reportedly monitored the location and tracked the suspected terrorists to a settlement where about eight fighters were gathered, while other groups were seen at separate positions.
Following the required operational procedures and authorisation, the aircraft reportedly carried out a precision strike on the larger concentration.
A subsequent battle damage assessment indicated that the strike hit the intended target, killing suspected terrorists who were inside makeshift structures as well as others outside the huts.
The initial operation was estimated to have killed about 16 terrorists.
Makama further reported that around midnight, the aircraft resumed surveillance and located about 10 terrorists who had escaped from the first strike area and regrouped near a tree.
A second precision strike was subsequently conducted against the group.
The publication said a post-strike assessment showed that the weapon hit the intended target, with no movement detected around the area afterwards.
The military consequently assessed that the 10 suspected terrorists had been neutralised, bringing the estimated number killed in the two related strikes to 26.
In a separate operation around the Buratai axis, another precision strike aircraft reportedly tracked approximately 12 suspected terrorists who had gathered inside a hut.
The aircraft maintained surveillance over the location before receiving authorisation to engage the target.
At about 12:31am on August 22, the attack platform reportedly struck the identified location, recording a direct hit.
According to Makama, the operation was assessed to have neutralised all 12 suspected terrorists at the site.
The combined operations bring the reported number of terrorists killed in the air strikes to 38.
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