Soldiers and volunteers work at the site attacked by al-Shabaab militants in Mandera county, Kenya, Oct. 6, 2016. At least six people were killed and another one seriously injured early Thursday after suspected al-Shabaab militants attacked a residential plot in Kenya's Mandera county on the border with Somalia. (Xinhua/Stephen Ingati)
MANDERA, Kenya, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and another one seriously injured early Thursday after suspected al-Shabaab militants attacked a residential plot in Kenya's Mandera county on the border with Somalia.
"We have confirmed six people have been killed and 13 others rescued. The militants used a grenade to break the entrance before they shot at those who were sleeping in there and later escaped from the scene," said Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia.
The militants, who targeted non-locals, struck the Bulla public works at 2 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Wednesday) and shot the tenants arbitrarily, Shisia said.
The attackers later hurled another grenade that destroyed a building close to the residential plot, in response to a group of police reservists who had responded to the attack, he said.
Shisia said the police have launched an investigation into the latest incident that has sparked tension in the region.
Mandera Governor Ali Roba noted that the attack came after a lull in the area for the past months as a result of intensified police operations.
Security in Mandera remains fragile as al-Shabaab militants cross over from Somalia and carry out attacks.
Northern Kenya has borne the brunt of grenade and gun attacks in the last four years since Kenya sent troops to Somalia to fight al-Shabaab.
