Blasts & gunfire reported as masked gunmen attack Garrisa University in Kenya

Masked gunmen have attacked Garissa University College in Kenya, scores are reported injured. Gunshots and explosions have been heard from inside, and those calling from the university claim to have witnessed many casualties.

Official report of current status vide Garissa attack. Thank you for your support. pic.twitter.com/I08RUALlFG

— Joseph Boinnet (@JBoinnet) April 2, 2015

Kenya Red Cross officials say two policemen and a student have been injured and taken to hospital, according to Daily Nation media outlet.

“Two guards who were manning the gate at the university have been killed. We can hear gunshots from inside the compound but at this point we can’t tell who is shooting at who or what,” a policewoman told Reuters.

#Alert
: Armed attack at Garissa University College. @EMS_Kenya
and #RedCross
Garissa team at scene. Updates to follow

— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 2, 2015

It also says two guards at the university’s main gate were killed.

The gunmen allegedly entered the university as students were heading to morning prayers, Standard Media outlet reported. The attackers reportedly posed as worshipers among the students, and then started shooting at them indiscriminately.

Students who escaped the attack have told security forces there are at least five gunmen, holding many others as hostages inside. Conflicting reports on Twitter put the death toll at seven.

“@InsecurityKE
: Military – hostages still inside as dozens rescued. Ongoing gunfire area now cordoned off. #prayforGarissa
@DennisOkari
”

— Serve My Country (@GKKiarie) April 2, 2015

According to some accounts, the gunmen were also wearing suicide vests.

A heavy police and military presence is seen near the university.

No one has claimed responsible for the events.

Just over a week ago a terror threat alert was issued for Kenyan universities, Twitter users report.

#Garissa
: Their was intelligence of a pending attack targeting a University pic.twitter.com/r1FofQK0hq

— Francis Waithaka (@waithash) April 2, 2015

Local senior security officials confirmed the assault on the university, saying there have been threats from a terror group.

“We had the threats earlier on and alerted the institutions here,” said an anonymous security official, as quoted by Standard Media.

In the past, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Somali terror group Al-Shabaab has conducted several attacks in Garissa and throughout Kenya, the biggest assault being an attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013.

4 days ago USIU issued this security alert and University of Nairobi also. #GarissaAttack
pic.twitter.com/6rv6P3iIQU

— Robert ALAI (@RobertAlai) April 2, 2015

Source: RT