Militants from Islamist group Boko Haram have attacked Chadian army positions in Gamboru, a town in northeastern Nigeria, on Wednesday, but were beaten back, Chadian military sources said in Ndjamena.

“We knew they were going to attack us. We were waiting. The battle didn’t last long. They fled,” one military source said, noting that eight Chadian soldiers were wounded, three of 14 Boko Haram vehicles were destroyed and one was seized.

Chadian troops flushed out Boko Haram militants out of Gamboru last week, after aerial bombing by Chadian air force.

They are now stationed as part of a regional offensive against Boko Haram, whose militants have staged several cross-border attacks over the past week as part of its campaign to establish a caliphate.

*Reuters/NAN