By Cyrus Ombati

A General Service Unit officer was shot and injured at the Kenya-Somalia border in an attack blamed on Al-Shabaab militia.

The officer, who was injured in the leg, was with his colleague when they were attacked yesterday morning in Harehare, 17km from Liboi town.

The other officer escaped unhurt after he shot back at their attackers in a brief gun battle.

Police headquarters said the officers were patrolling the area at 10.30am when they were ambushed.

The attackers are said to have escaped towards Dobley town of Somalia, which is under the control of the militia.

Officials said the scene of the attack is no-man’s land, but Kenyan security personnel usually patrol to contain any attacks from the war-torn country.

The injured officer was later transferred to Garissa Provincial Hospital in stable condition.

The attack triggered a security operation with more personnel being deployed along the border.

Witnesses said there was a convoy of lorries that drove to the area after the attack was reported.

The incident occurred as security officials in Garissa were holed up in a meeting to plan President Kibaki’s planned visit to rally support for the Proposed Constitution.

The Kenya-Somalia border remains officially closed, but there have been claims of smuggling of goods, attacks and kidnappings linked to the militia in the past.

The militia also claimed responsibility for the bomb attacks in Kampala, Uganda, last week killing 75 people and injuring scores.