Two Cuban doctors have been abducted by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Mandera County on Friday morning.

A police officer, who was guarding the doctors is said to have been shot dead by the assailants.

According to sources, the two medics were headed to their work station before they were ambushed.

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UPDATE: SECURITY FORCES MOBILIZED IN SEARCH FOR CUBAN DOCTORS  

The National Police Spokesman Charles Owino said security forces have been mobilised to pursue the criminals, in neighbouring towns across Somalia.

“All security agencies of the State have been mobilized to pursue the criminals and rescue the victims,” he said.

ln November last year, Al Shabaab abducted an Italian aid worker in Kilifi County. The 23-year old lady, who was a volunteer at Africa Milele Onlus, an NGO operating in the area, is yet to be found.

The abduction of tourists within Kenya’s borders is what influenced the country’s incursion in Somali in 2011 under Operation Linda Nchi, in an effort to beef up security on its border and protect both Kenyan citizens and foreign visitors following a series of provocations by the Al-Shabaab.

Nine years into Operation Linda Nchi, Al shabaab has continued to carry out a series of deadly terror attacks in the country, including the 2013 Westgate Mall attack, the Garissa University attack and recently the attack at Dusit D2 hotel.