Lesotho’s security forces on Wednesday killed at least four armed men in unidentified army uniforms in different parts of the capital Maseru for suspected acts of terrorism.
According to different police reports, two of the suspects were killed in the morning hours when a fight erupted between them and the police at Khubetsoana, 10 km north of Maseru, following a report of a stolen taxi, while another suspect was seriously injured in the fracas.
Another suspect was shot dead by the army in the presence of the police and villagers, after his hideout was revealed, while a fourth suspect was killed in a joint operation of helicopters by the Lesotho and South African police near Caledon River that forms the border of Lesotho and South Africa.
Police on the scene said that one of the deceased was identified as a Member of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF), while a second one was suspected to be a South African of the Zulu ethnic group.
The injured man was suspected to be a Mozambican, as he spoke one of that country’s languages, and he could not understand any local language or English.
Heavy gun shots here heard from the Makoanyane Military Barracks Tuesday night, and unconfirmed reports revealed that the army was responding when the suspects stole three army vehicles that included an armored vehicle, two four wheel vehicles and a land rover.
In another incident that happened on Wednesday night, an army officer guarding the State House, which is the residence of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, was disarmed by the suspects and shots were fired at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Meanwhile, the army has since recovered two vehicles, including the armored vehicle and a large quantity various weapons.
The government is yet to release a statement on the incidents and the motives of the attacks remain unknown as APA went to press.
Source African Press Agency
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[...] The government is yet to release a statement on the incidents and the motives of the attacks remain unknown as APA went to press. [source...] [...]