At least six Kenyans were killed when terrorists raided a border town of Dhobley, Somalia, Friday morning.
The area falls on the Kenya-Somalia border.
The victims were all Kenyan hawkers who operated between Kenya and Somalia and were involved in malimali businesses in the border.
One was left with serious bullet wounds, police said.
Officials said they believe the victims were targeted because of their perceived religious affiliations.
They were accused of spreading Christianity in the area, officials said.
Witnesses said they were all shot at close range.
The six hail from Tigania West with from Akithii and two from Athwana.
The area is near the Kenya-Somalia border which has faced increased cases of terror-related attacks.
Police have also increased their operations in the area, thwarting dozens of planned attacks.
A major operation is ongoing in the area to address al Shabaab-related attacks, which happen partly because of proximity of the area to the Kenya-Somalia border.
A multi-agency security team staged an intelligence-led operation on al Shabaab base at Alango area Garissa County harbouring Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) experts and seized several materials.
During the successful operation on the morning of Sunday, March 24, the team recovered IED making materials, AK47 riffle, two magazines, porches and assorted foodstuffs.
Three experts of assembling the explosives managed escape, police said.
The terrorists have been attacking places near the Kenyan border by using guns and explosives leaving dozens dead and many injured.
The recent attacks have forced the government to suspend plans to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border.
The incident comes weeks after five suspected al Shabaab militants were killed in an operation in Fafi, Garissa County.
Police said four others were arrested in the operation adding the group was headed for Fafi from a hideout when they were ambushed on March 2.
The team recovered two PKM machine guns, one RPM, six AK47 rifles and a number of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) making materials.
Additionally, telephone phones and SIM cards were also recovered, officials said.
The four fighters were taken in for further interrogation and were cooperating well, police said.
A quick exploitation of the phones has so far given important leads on a number of local al shabaab facilitation network, officials said.
The intelligence-led operation caught the militants by surprise as they crossed into Kenya and establish a temporary camp in Fafi area of Garissa.
Police say the area is being used as a logistics base for the terrorists who move to attack targets and retreat there.
The area near the border with Somalia has suffered a series of terrorist attacks.
