Police officers in their vehicle during a security operation at Masjid Musa mosque in Majengo, Mombasa, on

Scores of youths were arrested in a major security operation by police launched Sunday night targeting Masjid Musa and Sakina mosques in Majengo as well as the Kisauni area in Mombasa County.

More than 600 General Service Unit, regular and Administration Police officers swarmed the area in a bid to flush out radical youths.

Unconfirmed reports say one person was shot dead. Eyewitnesses said they heard gunshots Sunday night.

The gate to Sakina mosque was pulled down as security officers forced their way in to flush out the youths.

“We heard several gunshots around Masjid Musa at night. The area has been cordoned off and motor vehicles and pedestrians have been directed to use other roads,” said a witness who did not want to be named.

There was heavy police presence in Kisauni, where a community policing member was shot dead by unknown people on Friday night.

(READ: Community policing member shot dead in Mombasa)

Police vehicles were seen ferrying youths arrested in the operation to police stations within Mombasa Town on Monday morning.

Mombasa OCPD Geoffrey Mayek confirmed the raid, saying “this is a major security operation”.

Police said they recovered grenades, pistols, knives and materials promoting terrorism from the two mosques.