The (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in a joint operation have rescued five women and five children from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group in the Eastern DRC.

The development was confirmed on Monday by Maj. Bilal Katamba, the spokesperson of UPDF Mountain Division/Operation Shujaa.

According to Katamba, the forces successfully rescued the women and children after a confrontation with ADF terrorists at River Asefu in North Kivu province on Sunday in the ongoing operation code-named "Operation Shujaa".

During the firefight, two women were injured and were airlifted to Muhoti Military Barracks for specialized medical care. The malnourished children are also receiving medical attention from the UPDF medical team," Maj Katamba noted.

Among those rescued is 32-year-old Jamilah Katushabe, who is said to have been lured into rebel activities in 2008 from Nabweru Division, Wakiso district.

"Jamilah was forcibly married to multiple ADF commanders and was reunited with her 6-year-old daughter, Rahima, during the rescue," Katamba said.

Katamba added that the joint forces continue to pursue the scattered ADF terrorists, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Central Africa Province (ISCAP), an affiliate of ISIS.

The UPDF has been on the hot pursuit of the ADF rebels since December 2021 when artillery and air strikes were launched against the group's bases in the thick eastern DRC forces.

The operation followed terror attacks in Kampala that left scores dead.

The joint forces have since launched several artillery and airstrikes as part of the efforts to wipe out the rebels who continue to hide in DRC.