Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have thwarted an attempted infiltration by terrorists at Bitta in Sector 1, dealing another significant blow to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba. According to the statement, the attempted assault was part of ISWAP’s desperate efforts to regain momentum following a series of recent battlefield defeats.
“The failed attack occurred when ISWAP terrorists, in a desperate bid to regain the initiative after recent battlefield setbacks, attempted to infiltrate the troops’ location.
“Unknown to the terrorists, vigilant OPHK troops had anticipated the move and deliberately prepared a decisive offensive-defensive battle plan,” the statement said.
The statement further explained that as the insurgents moved toward the military position, troops initiated coordinated spoiling operations that disrupted the attackers’ formation while manoeuvring strategically to block their escape routes.
“The attackers were consequently met with overwhelming resistance and superior firepower, forcing them into a chaotic withdrawal while suffering significant losses,” it added.
Military authorities noted that the foiled infiltration represents the third major setback suffered by ISWAP within 24 hours, following similar failed attacks at Banki and Azir Bridge.
The statement also underscored the sustained pressure being applied by Operation HADIN KAI forces across the theatre of operations. It noted that “these successive setbacks further highlight the continued operational pressure being mounted by the troops of Operation HADIN KAI across the theatre, which has severely constrained the terrorists’ freedom of action and denied them any opportunity to exploit propaganda narratives.”
Troops, according to the statement, “remain firmly in control of all locations and continue to dominate the operational environment with high morale, superior tactical coordination and sustained offensive action.”
The Military High Command commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience and encouraged them “to sustain the operational tempo,” the statement concluded.
