The victims had stopped to mend a puncture when the attackers struck, Standard newspaper reported, adding that the soldiers sustained serious gun wounds and later succumbed following the midday attack.

Initial reports indicated that one soldier was abducted during the incident as security forces from KDF and paramilitary officers mobilised into operation.

According to the newspaper, there was intense exchange of gunfire between Kenya security forces and the attackers near the North Eastern Provincial Hospital.

Business in the town ground to a halt as members of the public scampered for safety.

The attack comes a day after eight people were killed in an explosion targeting a minibus in Nairobi’s Eastleigh.

On Thursday two Kenyan policemen were gunned down by unknown assailants in a market in Garissa, while attempting to search a suspected terrorist.

The incident took place while the officers were on patrol on Thursday morning as they intercepted a man who appeared to be carrying a weapon, Standard newspaper reported.

According to senior police officers in the region, the plain clad policemen were shot by another man at close range as they attempted to search the suspect. The two suspects then stole pistols from the policemen, and escaped to an unknown location.

Police have reportedly launched a manhunt for the two suspects but no arrests have been made.