The attack occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, when terrorists engaged personnel of the 101 Special Forces Battalion stationed in the town.
The troops responded with coordinated direct and indirect fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Mohammed Goni, said several terrorists were killed during the confrontation, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
He said troops later conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered some bodies of the insurgents.
As the fleeing terrorists attempted to escape on motorcycles towards Cross Kauwa, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was deployed to track and engage them.
According to the military, despite challenging weather conditions, the aircraft struck terrorists who had taken cover beneath trees, killing about 10 fighters.
Goni said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets of the Multinational Joint Task Force subsequently detected approximately 20 motorcycles carrying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
Acting on the intelligence, the Air Component carried out another precision airstrike, killing an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles, according to the Army.
Ground troops later recovered two motorcycles during further operations in the area, while another terrorist was killed. Assorted ammunition and other items were also recovered.
The military said the coordinated response prevented the attackers from consolidating their position, disrupted their withdrawal and further reduced their capacity to regroup or launch fresh attacks in the area.
Goni added that troops received immediate aerial resupply of essential combat equipment and other operational materials to sustain ongoing operations.
Four soldiers were injured during the encounter, although the Army said their injuries were not life-threatening. The wounded personnel were evacuated by air for medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
Troops have since commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while further assessment of the operation and battle damage remains ongoing.
The Army described the operation as another demonstration of the ability of Operation Hadin Kai to combine ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities in countering terrorist threats across the North-East.
It reaffirmed that the operation would continue with intelligence-driven surveillance and coordinated ground and air offensives aimed at weakening terrorist networks, restricting their movement and protecting communities in the region.
