Troops there when attack launched but gone when rounds start

I attacked someone who had left quite a few troops lying around, but they were 30+ minutes from me. I checked with a scout after I launched the attack that the troops were still there. When the attacking troops finally got there, the person I was attacking had somehow removed the troops from their city and I was just attacking their wall defenses.

How? I thought troops in a city that is being attacked were prevented from being removed?

(this has probably been asked before, but a search couldn't find anything and I read through the first 15 pages of topics before giving up and starting a fresh topic)

when u attack someone with troops out and they are smart, they will send there troops to hunt. yes u can send ur troops to hunt while being attacked

I always wait to hunt 5 seconds before the attack lands.
This way I ensure they've wasted as much time as possible

I always wait to hunt 5 seconds before the attack lands.
This way I ensure they've wasted as much time as possible

Evil one.. Always make the enemy pay :p But someday, you'll mess up the timing.

Never yet

Thanks everyone. Guess I was informed wrong about the troops being pinned.

Troops are indeed movable to the last second.
Selling or transporting resources cannot take place, nor can moving said city

I always wait to hunt 5 seconds before the attack lands.
This way I ensure they've wasted as much time as possible

Related question, can you dispatch?

When under attack?