Burkina Faso's soldiers shoot dead five suspected terrorists

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Burkinabe army has announced that it neutralised five alleged terrorists during operations between 1 and 7 March.

It said during its weekly update that one soldier and five civilians died in the operations.

According to the Army, operations to secure the national territory are continuing and development support activities are also being carried out for the benefit of state structures, private structures and the population.

The report states that on 3 March, a unit of the Bourzanga military detachment, on an offensive reconnaissance mission, was targeted by armed individuals in the vicinity of Alani and Kourao, in Bam province.

"On the enemy side, five terrorists were neutralised and vehicles recovered," the report said.

On 6 March 2021, another patrol from the Bourzanga military detachment was attacked by armed individuals while securing the locality of Kourao, in Bam Province, following an attack on the "Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland" (VDP).

One soldier and five VDP were killed. Search operations have been launched to find the assailants, the army said.

In the same week, the military detachment of Matiacoali in the east organised a cross-country race and a tournament with the local civilian population.

The objective of such activities is to strengthen the cohesion between the Defence and Security Forces and the civilian population for a better synergy in the fight against terrorism.

-0- PANA TNDD/JSG/BBA/MA 10March2021

, during its weekly update on the situation of operations,