Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have discovered seven additional graves and two bodies of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during follow-up exploitation operations after the failed attack on Kukareta community in Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the discoveries were made while troops continued clearance and exploitation of the general area following an earlier engagement in which 24 insurgents were neutralised.
The sources said troops uncovered seven freshly dug graves believed to contain terrorists killed during the encounter, and found two additional bodies of suspected ISWAP fighters along withdrawal routes. They said the findings further confirmed significant casualties suffered by the insurgents during the failed assault.
According to the sources, the operation followed a coordinated attack launched by the terrorists in the early hours of April 23, which troops decisively repelled after a prolonged firefight.
Troops had earlier recovered a cache of arms and ammunition at the scene, including 18 AK-47 rifles, three general-purpose machine guns, two PKT anti-aircraft guns, three RPG tubes, two mortar tubes, four hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.
The sources added that exploitation efforts are ongoing, with troops continuing to comb surrounding areas for fleeing terrorists, additional bodies and abandoned equipment. They described the development as a major setback for the group and said sustained military pressure would be maintained to further degrade its operational capability.
The general security situation in the North-East theatre remains under close watch, with troops maintaining aggressive patrols and clearance operations to prevent further attacks.
