Two vehicles carrying 12 police officers escorting a bus to Mandera hit by rocket propelled grenades

Al Shabaab militia. [File picture].

Transport in Mandera County has been paralyzed after operators suspended bus services in the county for three days after Al Shabaab attacked two police vehicles on Monday evening.

Al-Shabaab militants ambushed and burnt down two police land cruisers in an attack in Daba City, Mandera County on Monday.

The two vehicles carrying 12 police officers were escorting a bus to Mandera when they were hit by rocket propelled grenades. The incident occurred after the bus had passed.

One officer was reported missing after the attack but his colleagues say he has since communicated from a hideout in the area. Efforts to track him are currently ongoing.

Another officer was injured during the ambush as the militants moved to burn the vehicles before escaping.

A gun was also reported missing amid speculations the terrorists escaped with it.  No passenger in the bus was affected.

Police say the attack is the latest after a lull of three months during which no incident was reported. Al Shabaab terrorists are said to be regrouping in the area and it has become difficult to attack them due to heavy rains.