Police kill terror suspects in Mombasa

Two terror suspects have been killed and three hand-grenades seized from their house in Mombasa.

The two men, who police said escaped capture during raids in Majengo and Malindi, were with two others who got away with bullet wounds during the 4pm incident in Mshomoroni, Kisauni Sub-County.

Speaking at the Dog Section Unit Police Station, Kisauni deputy OCDP Walter Abondo said the two were members of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and were suspected to have been planning to carry out attacks in Mombasa.

Police also seized 17 rounds of ammunition, three liquid explosives, four plastic explosives and four bomb detonators.

“This evening members of the public tipped us [off] that there were suspicious characters within the area. And when we surrounded the house and approached the four, they started shooting at our officers,” said Mr Abondo.

He added: “The two have been in our books and their day was today. We are currently trailing the other two and we are appealing to members of the public to continue supporting us.”

Police believe the suspect who escaped is called Ishmail Shoshi and he has been on the list of wanted terror fugitives since last year.

Those shot dead were identified as Salim Hanjary Benzimba and Kibwana Ahmed Abdalla, alias Rajab.

A police report further said those killed were "logistical facilitators" for Al-Shabaab and some of their tasks were to identify and rent houses to shelter other militants.

The report also associated them with another fugitive called Hussein Barbly.

"They were involved in the [renting] of the Majengo residence in which police recovered a cache of arms. They also leased a house in Malindi, Kwachache area, where officers killed four terror suspects."

The report appealed to the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Editing by Philip Momanyi