At least 23 Chadian soldiers have been killed in an attack by Boko Haram militants on a military base, the armed forces reported on Tuesday.

The attack occurred late in the evening of May 4 on Barka Tolorom island, where insurgents targeted a base of Chad’s Defense and Security Forces. Military officials said the troops mounted a “fierce counterattack,” ultimately repelling the assault after heavy fighting.

The authorities reported that a significant number of militants were killed in the clash, and weapons and equipment were recovered at the scene. A search for the remaining militants is ongoing.

Twenty-six soldiers were wounded in the attack. The military said the situation is under control and vowed to continue operations against Boko Haram, adding that a more detailed report will be released later.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno condemned the “cowardly attack” and paid tribute to the fallen troops.…