Nairobi, Oct 11 (IANS): Kenyan troops have intensified their crackdown on bases of the Al Shabaab terrorist group in southern Somalia after killing at least 60 more militants Friday, military officials confirmed Saturday.

Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) spokesman David Obonyo said military jets destroyed Al Shabaab bases north of Gulagadud in Middle Juba, according to Xinhua.

"Initial battle assessment indicates 60 Al Shabaab militants have been killed during the attacks," Obonyo said in a brief statement issued in Nairobi.

The military spokesman said the operation, which included ground and air strikes, was the third this week in a row in an effort to liberate the area.

“We counted 60 bodies and recovered five vehicles with many bullets," said Obonyo.

Several militants were injured and had retreated to Jilbi. Obonyo said they were in hot pursuit of the now weakened Al Shabaab following attacks on their strongholds.

Kenyan soldiers have captured a string of towns leading to Kismayo, the third largest city which is considered the hub of the militant group.

The onslaught in southern Somalia comes as the fate of five Kenyans remains unknown after they were abducted by suspected Al Shabaab militants along the border with Somalia in the coastal region. The incident Friday took place between Milimani and Basuba area in Lamu East sub-county.

The incident comes amidst heavy presence of security officers in the ongoing security operation that was launched in a bid to net suspected criminals who raided the county in June and July, in which more than 90 people were killed.

Soldiers from the KDF are part of the African Union coalition (AMISOM) fighting the Al Shabaab in support of the Somali government. Kenyan officials say the Al Shabaab has continued to incur losses as AMISOM forces continue to take major strides in their mandate to pacify the Horn of Africa nation.

Kenyan forces who crossed into Somalia in October 2011 have intensified their military crackdown inside southern Somalia to push back the Al Shabaab, blamed by Kenya for a series of cross-border kidnappings.

The Al Shabaab has said it viewed the presence of Kenyan troops in southern Somalia as an act of war. The group, which has teamed up with global terror network Al Qaeda, is now vowing an all-out war in Kenya, in protest against the military incursion in Somalia.