Airstrike destroys terrorist hideout, neutralises occupants in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI has carried out a precision airstrike on a suspected terrorist hideout in Borno State, destroying the structure and neutralising all occupants, intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama.
The strike was executed in the early hours of July 20 after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets identified suspicious terrorist activities around KLA Balia, located in the Lake Chad region.
According to the sources, the ISR platform, codenamed GUARDIAN, established overhead surveillance at about 5:35 a.m. before confirming the target.
Following positive identification, the aircraft conducted a precision strike on the suspected terrorist hideout.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted immediately after the strike indicated that the building was completely destroyed and engulfed in flames, with all suspected terrorists inside believed to have been neutralised.
The aircraft remained on station briefly to monitor the target area before returning to base after completing the mission.
Military sources said the operation formed part of sustained air interdiction efforts aimed at degrading terrorist infrastructure and denying insurgents freedom of movement across the North-East.
